Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are showing gratitude as Wicked debuts in theaters.
Grande, 31, shared on her Instagram Stories Friday, Nov. 22 a letter addressed to her “sweet, sweet fans” as she felt “incredibly emotional” on the movie’s first day in theaters.
“Often when we meet in person, you tell me that you’ve grown up with me or about the impact that my work has had on your life, but I feel like I don’t really get the chance to tell you enough about the impact that you’ve had on mine,” Grande wrote.
She continued, “…I want to tell you how grateful I am am for the many ways in which you’ve held me over the years… you have held my hand and helped mend my heart time and time again over the past ten years and I would never be here without you. I mean that in every way you can interpret it.”
“Thank you for your patience with me. I know I disappeared into this project for a long, long time (I believe you all called it ‘the drought’!) and I know that was hard for you all,” the pop star added. “I want to thank you for your fierce protection, your passion and your ability to see me and love me as I evolve alongside all of you. I will never take your love, support or the irrevocable connection that we share for granted.”
Ariana Grande/Instagram
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“Thank you for growing with me. It’s one of the greatest joys and gifts of my life,” Grande finished in the caption. “I love you. See you at the theater.”
Erivo, 37, wrote her own Instagram post early Friday reflecting on her time making Wicked as she posted behind-the-scenes photos from the movie’s set featuring Grande and costars Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh and Ethan Slater.
“This journey has been long, and paved with bright, yellow brick. We have laughed and cried, held hands and walked side by side, our lives intertwined, and because of that, we were irrevocably changed for good,” Erivo wrote. “We gained more than a movie.”
The actress thanked her character Elphaba “for the gifts you have brought me” and wrote a sweet note for both Grande and the film’s director, Jon M. Chu.
Don Arnold/WireImage
“Galinda/ Glinda/ Ariana Grande-Butera, I love you. You are the truest, kindest, human being. It has been an honor to share this experience of a lifetime with you,” she added.
“Jon, my dear captain, thank you for your trust and your belief, your heart and imagination. You lead us with love and it is all over that screen. From me to you….look it’s tomorrow. Wicked is now yours, from us with love.”
Wicked is in theaters now.
Read the full article here
