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In just a couple of weeks, former Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande will make a big screen splash as Glinda the Good Witch in Universal’s Wicked: Part One (2024). Also starring British actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba Thropp (the future Wicked Witch of the West), Wicked is already receiving glowing reviews from early screenings, positioning the musical epic as one of 2024’s biggest movies.
While promoting the movie on the Las Culturistas podcast hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers, Grande revealed a startling Disney World request that would see her escorted off the property.
Credit: Universal Pictures
The Walt Disney World and Disneyland resorts are fan-favorite destinations for all types of guests. Celebrities like the Kardashians and Jojo Siwa can often be seen attending the theme parks for fun and celebrations throughout the year. Recently, Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori drew eyes after the latter was seen walking barefoot at the parks.
Other stories include Katy Perry’s pizza party in the famous and ultra-exclusive Cinderella Castle suite and Paris Hilton’s confession that she wears prosthetics to stay incognito at the Disney theme parks. Ariana Grande also has a Cinderella Castle connection as she too has visited the secretive room located inside the Magic Kingdom Park icon.
Credit: Nickelodeon
“I’ve been in there because I performed at the castle one time, and I got to change in there, which was really cool,” the Sam & Cat star told the Las Culturistas podcast earlier this week. “It’s really beautiful, and it feels very real.”
But that’s not the only story about the iconic castle Grande shared on the podcast—her mother, Joan Grande, wants her ashes spread over Cinderella Castle.
“My mom tells us too often that she wants her ashes sprinkled over it. And I’m like, ‘Mom, it’s Christmas. Do we have to talk about this right now?’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah. You have to make sure that happens,'” the Wicked star said. Grande told Yang and Rogers that she has explained to her mom that there are cast members who prepare for shows in Cinderella Castle–“So you’re gonna be sprinkled on people’s heads who are, like, dressed as Tinker Bell waiting for their cue.”
Credit: Ariana Grande, YouTube
It’s unlikely that Ariana Grande will spread her mother’s ashes at Walt Disney World Resort because the act is strictly prohibited. According to an article from the Wall Street Journal, custodians never want to hear a call for a “HEPA cleanup,” as that means a guest has once again spread the ashes of a loved one at the park. Guests are notorious for committing the act at Magic Kingdom, especially at the Haunted Mansion attraction.
“…a Disney rep confirmed that the act of dispersing ashes at any of the parks is ‘strictly prohibited and unlawful. Guests who attempt to do so will be escorted off the property,'” PEOPLE wrote.
So if Ms. Grande decided to follow through on her mother’s wishes and spread ashes at Cinderella Castle, she would–as per the Walt Disney World Resort rules–be escorted off the property. Celebrities are not immune to theme park bans, either. Blake Lively (It Ends With Us) once confirmed she was put in Disney “jail,” while Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) was banned from Disneyland Resort after taking a selfie in a Disney bathroom.
Credit: Universal Pictures
Wicked releases worldwide on November 22, 2024, exclusively in movie theaters.
How do you feel about guests spreading ashes at Walt Disney World Resort? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!
Whats the harm of putting them in the flower gardens? I think Disney should have a designated spot at each park, hell its good for the soil
I live in FL & remember when Ariana Grande performed at the Castle. There was a HUGE crowd surrounding the area, including my young daughter. David Foster was at the piano and ready to begin. No Ariana Grande. No explanation. She was THREE HOURS late with no apology. David Foster played songs for the crowd to do a sing-a-long. One young man got onto the stage & had a magnificent voice. Finally Grande shows up with no explanation & songs 2 songs. That’s it. She’s done & walks off the stage. I only stayed there for my young daughter, otherwise we would have been in the Park. My daughter stopped being a fan that day & I agreed with her. Professionals don’t leave their audience waiting for 3 hours & no genuine reason why. Not a fan.