Drew Barrymore Shocked Ariana Grande with Glinda’s Original Wand from The Wizard of Oz, Leaving Her in Tears
Ariana Grande got the surprise of her life during her appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, airing Thursday, Dec. 5. The Wicked star, who plays Glinda in the highly anticipated movie adaptation, was presented with a piece of Hollywood history: the original wand used by Glinda the Good Witch in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz.
Host Drew Barrymore teased the reveal with an air of excitement. “We have something very special for you,” she said. “It’s the original Glinda wand, once held by Billie Burke herself. It was loaned to us for this moment!” As the star-topped wand was brought out, Ariana’s eyes filled with tears. Overwhelmed with emotion, she whispered, “Are you serious right now? Thank you so much.” Then, with a playful grin, she joked, “Alright, I’m taking this. Bye!”
Drew, thrilled by the moment, told Ariana, “You look absolutely perfect with it!” The thoughtful gesture left the singer-turned-actress both touched and amused. “How did you even make this happen?” Ariana laughed. “Did you sneak into the Smithsonian for this?”
Ariana is set to bring Glinda to life in Wicked: Part One, the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Glinda’s rival-turned-friend. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie boasts an incredible cast, including Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, and is split into two parts. The first will hit theaters in 2024, with the second following in 2025.
The original wand isn’t the only Wizard of Oz treasure making headlines. Recently, Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers and Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch hat went up for auction, reminding fans of the timeless allure of the classic film.
Fans can catch Ariana’s emotional reaction and her chat with Drew on Dec. 5. The show airs weekdays on CBS.
