As Universal Pictures starts the careful release of its highly anticipated blockbuster Wicked: For Good, Ariana Grande unexpectedly voiced strong political criticism of President Trump and those who support him. The timing of this couldn’t be more problematic.
Hollywood has already seen projects suffer because of controversial statements made by their lead actors – for example, Rachel Zegler’s Snow White promotion didn’t go well, and films featuring Pedro Pascal, Brie Larson, and Anthony Mackie also underperformed. Now, Ariana Grande’s recent comments could jeopardize Universal’s significant investment in her film, potentially pulling it into a divisive public debate.
Grande’s Post and the White House Clapback
Over the weekend, Ariana Grande reposted a message from podcast host Matt Bernstein. The message questioned people who voted for Trump, asking if their lives were better now that he was back in office.
The post questioned: “Is your life improved? Have grocery costs decreased? Has your health insurance become more affordable? Are you feeling more content? Has the hardship experienced by others benefited you as he predicted, or are you still hoping for those results?”
The article, shown above, also mentioned ICE raids, what some consider attacks on freedom of speech, and topics related to gender identity, which clearly showed where she stands on these issues.
The White House didn’t overlook the situation – they reacted quickly. Spokesperson Kush Desai responded sharply, even playfully, in a statement to EW by quoting her own songs.
Save your tears, Ariana,” a White House spokesperson stated. “President Trump’s policies actually resolved the inflationary problems Joe Biden inherited and are now attracting significant new investments – worth trillions of dollars.”
And then came the surprising part: He issued an executive order as if by magic which allowed the FTC to take action against Ticketmaster for overcharging fans attending Ariana Grande’s concerts. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Ariana!
In just a short response, the administration dismissed her criticism as a joke-and guaranteed the disagreement would be the main story in the news.
Why This is Terrible Timing
Ariana Grande has long been involved in political issues, but the current situation is particularly noteworthy. She isn’t simply a popular singer-she’s also the star of Universal’s biggest and most promising musical film in recent years.
Wicked: For Good is the second part of the studio’s big decision to turn the popular Broadway show into two movies. The first movie did well, but it’s always a challenge for sequels to succeed.
The Rachel Zegler Lesson
Disney’s remake of Snow White is a perfect example of how things can go wrong. Rachel Zegler’s statements criticizing the original movie and discussing political issues transformed what could have been a heartwarming, nostalgic experience into a source of controversy. As a result, the film struggled to connect with viewers and never gained traction with audiences.
As a critic, I see Universal walking into a potentially tricky situation. Ariana Grande’s decision to speak out against Trump voters – essentially dismissing half of the country – means Wicked: For Good isn’t going to be evaluated solely on its merits as a film. It’s going to be seen, and judged, as a political statement, and that adds a whole other layer of complexity to its release. It’s a risk, and one that could significantly impact how audiences receive it.
The Box Office Reality
As a lifelong movie fan, I’m really seeing a shift in what people want. It feels like audiences are getting tired of the usual Hollywood fare. We’ve been seeing big-budget films flop repeatedly over the last few years, and there’s a common thread: it often seems like the actors themselves-through their public statements or actions-ended up turning potential viewers off before the movie even came out. It’s a weird situation, and makes you wonder what studios can do to win back audiences. You see articles about it everywhere, like this recent piece discussing the trend.
Grande’s remarks threaten to put Wicked: For Good in that same sinking boat.
Who Gains? Who Loses?
The White House came out on top – Trump’s team easily turned the tables. They dismissed Ariana Grande while shifting the focus to what they presented as policy achievements, making sure they appeared self-assured and unfazed. This allowed them to control the narrative and project an image of confidence.
Ariana Grande is facing a setback – while her progressive supporters may praise her, her actions have likely positioned her as a politically charged figure during the film’s promotion. Consequently, every press appearance and interview will likely return to discussions about politics rather than focusing on the film itself.
Universal Pictures is facing a major setback – the studio has suffered the most damage. Rather than a straightforward, positive marketing campaign, they are now dealing with a crisis. The focus has changed from promoting “Come see the amazing finale of Wicked” to debating “Do you share Ariana Grande’s political views?”
The Bigger Picture
Hollywood continues to struggle with the lesson that turning off viewers with political statements usually backfires. Ariana Grande’s decision to make openly partisan comments right before the release of her major film isn’t just a poor choice – it could seriously hurt Universal’s profits if the movie doesn’t do well at the box office.
Film studios keep making the same errors: they focus on making political statements instead of creating movies that most people will enjoy. This leads to box office failures, money lost, and disappointed fans. If Universal doesn’t shift the focus back to the movie itself, Wicked: For Good might be best known not for its impressive visuals, but for Ariana Grande and her disagreements with the Trump administration.
Final Thoughts
Ariana Grande has found success through her music, vocal talent, and dedicated fans. However, when she takes on a film project, the stakes are much higher. She’s now representing not just herself, but the entire production team, the studio, and the investors who are hoping for a significant financial return – potentially reaching a billion dollars.
Criticizing Trump supporters shortly before the release of Wicked: For Good could mean the biggest story surrounding the sequel won’t be the film itself-it’ll be the controversy. This presents a significant issue for Universal Pictures.
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2025-09-30 14:58