Ariana Grande Speaks Out After Elvira Accuses Her of “Disrespectful” Encounter
Ariana Grande wants one less problem with Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.
The Wicked star spoke out after the horror hostess—whose real name is Cassandra Peterson—told the story of an uncomfortable encounter between the two. According to Elvira, the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer brought a large group of friends and family to one of her performances and met Elvira backstage.
“She came and she brought 20 guests,” Elvira alleged during a Q&A at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif. Oct. 18. “So she wanted 21 tickets. We’re like, ‘OK.’ We give her the tickets and she comes backstage. She asked if I could take pictures with all of her friends and relatives she brought.”
The self-proclaimed Queen of Halloween said she posed with and signed autographs for each person in Ariana’s group before finally asking for a snap with the pop star.
“I say to her, ‘Can we take a photo together?’” Elvira explained. “And she goes, ‘No, I don’t really do that.’ And then she left before my show started. All her relatives stayed, and she took off.”
But Ariana sought to clear the air Oct. 21 when she commented on Elvira’s Instagram post about the “disrespectful” ordeal, saying she was “disheartened” by the recollection and sharing her version of events.
“I actually don’t even remember getting the chance to meet you,” the singer wrote, “because I had an anxiety attack and to my memory, left before the rest of my family.”
Noting that she was “really not great with being in public crowds or loud places” at the time, the 31-year-old continued, “But if I’m misremembering this moment, I sincerely apologize for offending you so.”
The Grammy winner went on to thank Elvira for being “lovely” towards her mom, Joan Grande, before adding, “She might have different feelings about that now but I’ll talk to her… clearly, we all have our days!”
And her meetup with Elvira isn’t the only controversy Ariana is addressing. Days before the Instagram exchange, Ariana also weighed in on another social media mishap, this time involving her Wicked costar Cynthia Erivo. The Harriet actress had slammed “offensive” fan art for the upcoming movie musical; however, the “Yes, And?” singer tried to see both sides of the issue.
“I think it’s very complicated because I find A.I. so conflicting and troublesome sometimes, but I think it’s just kind of such a massive adjustment period,” she told Variety in an interview Oct. 19. “This is something that is so much bigger than us, and the fans are gonna have fun and make their edits.”
While Ariana welcomed fans’ creative expression, she also emphasized she supports her costar’s point of view.
“I have so much respect for my sister, Cynthia,” she proclaimed, “and I love her so much. It’s just a big adjustment period.”
