Ariana Grande has been changed for good, thanks to Leighton Meester.
While the Wicked: For Good actress walked the red carpet at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards Jan. 4, her path crossed with that of the Gossip Girl alum and her husband Adam Brody, leading to an absolutely thrillifying encounter.
“I love you so much,” Ariana told Leighton at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., in E! News’ exclusive video. “Wow, wow, wow.”
The sweet exchange wasn’t the only highlight of the night for the “No Tears Left to Cry” singer. Her role in the movie musical also earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the ceremony—hosted by Chelsea Handler and airing on E! and USA Network—and while her time as Glinda the Good is drawing to a close, she explained that she’s at peace with saying goodbye to the character.
“It feels actually really beautiful,” she told E! News' Justin Sylvester moments before the show. “I think we're really proud of what we've done, and it was an amazing chapter, and now we've given it to the world and get to let them have it and enjoy it. It feels peaceful.”
Fortunately for her fans, Ariana is already hard at work on her next project: her upcoming Eternal Sunshine Tour, which marks her first concert trek in six years.
“I've been working on the set list for months now,” she revealed of the production, set to kick off in June. “It's in a good place, but we'll never know until we get into the rehearsals—which are starting very soon—and we put things on their feet if it'll make sense or not.”
But Ari stopped short of sharing more details about the show, adding, “I want to let it be a surprise.”
From Ariana to Leighton and so many more, keep scrolling for all the red carpet looks at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
Teyana Taylor
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Jessica Biel
in Lanvin.
Ariana Grande
in custom Alberta Ferretti, Christian Louboutin and Swarovski jewelry.
Paul Mescal
in custom Gucci and Cartier.
Jacob Elordi
in Bottega Veneta, Oliver Peoples and Cartier.
Michael B. Jordan
in custom Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin.
Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry (Meester); Valentino and Jager Le Coultre wath (Brody).
Alexander Skarsgard
in Valentino.
Adam Scott & Naomi Scott
in Dolce & Gabbana.
Marcello Hernandez
in Dolce & Gabbana.
Mckenna Grace
in vintage Vera Wang and Chopard diamonds.
Krys Marshall
in Sehnsucht Atelier.
Rhea Seehorn
in custom Louis Vuitton and Brilliant Earth jewelry.
Nicole Brydon Bloom
in Akris.
Sara Wells & Noah Wyle
in Brioni (Wyle).
Adam Sandler & Jackie Sandler
Leo Woodall
in Paul Smith.
Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler
in custom Louis Vuitton.
Katherine LaNasa & Grant Show
in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry (LaNasa).
Seth Rogen
in Zegna.
Sarah Shahi
in Georges Hobeika.
Ginnifer Goodwin & Josh Dallas
in Giorgio Armani and a Tyler Ellis bag(Goodwin).
Ike Barinholtz
in Dior.
Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney
in Alex Perry, Tyler Ellis purse and Manolo Blahnik shoes (McNearney).
Sterling K. Brown
in Brunello Cucinelli, Jacques Marie Mage glasses, Omega watch, Rachel Katz Jewelry cufflinks, Effy Jewelry rings and Melinda Maria earrings.
Sarah Snook
in Akris and Chopard.
Tramell Tillman
in Anamika Khanna and Lagos Diamonds jewelry.
Natasha Lyonne
in Celine and Le Vian and L'Dezen jewelry.
Chase Infiniti
in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry.
Owen Cooper
in Bottega Veneta.