Move over, movie stars—Ariana Grande just turned the Palm Springs Film Awards into her personal fangirl festival! On Friday night (January 3), at the glamorous Palm Springs Convention Center, the 31-year-old Wicked songbird had everyone buzzing as she quite literally bowed down to Nicole Kidman, the reigning queen of elegance and Lioness star.
Picture this: Ariana, decked out in a Louis Vuitton gown so dazzling it could blind you, spots Nicole, who is basically floating in a Loewe masterpiece. Suddenly, Ariana channels her inner theater kid (as if it ever left) and gives Nicole a full-on bow. Not a polite curtsy. Not a casual nod. A bow. Somewhere in the background, Broadway angels were surely singing.
This isn’t the first time Ariana has channeled Nicole vibes. Remember last October when Ariana played Satine, Nicole’s character from Moulin Rouge, on Saturday Night Live? She sang, she sparkled, and she twirled—proving that if you can’t star in Moulin Rouge, you might as well become it for a night. Speaking of missed chances, Ariana and Nicole were supposed to co-star in the Netflix musical The Prom, but alas, Ariana’s busy life as a pop diva/tour queen got in the way. She had to drop out, leaving the role to fellow Ariana (DeBose, in case you’re keeping track of your Arianas).
Both ladies were award royalty that night. Ariana picked up the Rising Star Award for her enchanting work in Wicked (because obviously), and Nicole received the International Star Award for her role in Babygirl. Honestly, someone needs to write a movie where these two are co-stars because the universe clearly wants it to happen.
While Ariana posed with Wicked director Jon M. Chu on the red carpet, her boyfriend-slash-co-star Ethan Slater, mom Joan Grande, and brother Frankie Grande decided to skip the red carpet and make their grand entrances incognito. Was it to let Ariana have her solo moment? Or were they just dodging photographers like ninjas? The world may never know.
Ariana fangirled, Nicole stayed unbothered and elegant, and we all learned that bowing down to your idols is a totally valid red carpet strategy. Bravo, Ari. Bravo.
Ariana Grande and Nicole Kidman share a moment at the #PSFilmAwards2025 pic.twitter.com/L3kJvI2lyS
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 4, 2025
