Ariana Grande's Humorous Acceptance Speech at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Ariana Grande displayed her signature sense of humor during her first major award acceptance of 2025 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Rising Star Award

At the event on January 4, Grande, 31, was honored with the Rising Star Award presented by her friend, Jennifer Coolidge, an Emmy winner known for her role in White Lotus. Grande began her speech by complimenting Coolidge, referring to her as a "comedic genius" who has influenced her life significantly.

"You don’t know how much it means to me," Grande expressed. As she reflected on her lengthy career in entertainment, she joked, "I never thought at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words 'rising star' again, so I wanted to start by thanking my two friends: Botox and Juvederm." This playful remark sent the audience into laughter, as she quipped, "I thought I’d be hearing 'slightly withering star' or 'drooping star' by now, so thank you."

Appreciation for Colleagues

In her speech, Grande also took the time to acknowledge her Wicked director, Jon M. Chu, whom she called her “fearless leader,” and her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, whom she referred to as her “brilliant sister.” Grande shared her heartfelt thoughts on playing Glinda the Good, stating, "Being able to play Glinda the Good was not only the honor of my life, but it felt like a homecoming."

Grande reminisced about her roots in comedy, saying, "For those of you who don’t know, I started out in stand-up comedy. My first professional gig was in our living room in Boca Raton, Fla., to entertain my grandparents. I was 4 years old, and my mom gave me $5." She noted that throughout her decade-long focus on music, she missed the joy that comedy brought her.

Recognition in Film

The Wicked film adaptation, which stars Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba, has received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. Sequel plans for Wicked: For Good are set to release on November 21. Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi praised Grande's transition from music to film, calling her an "iconic global performer" who has showcased her versatility as an undeniable talent.

Openness on Beauty Procedures

During her acceptance, Grande also touched on her openness regarding beauty procedures. In a polygraph test led by Erivo in September 2024, Grande confirmed having received Botox and lip fillers at one point but stated she stopped in 2018. While she denied various rumors of other procedures, she mentioned being "open" to the idea of a facelift in the future.

Other stars honored at the Palm Springs event included Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Timothée Chalamet, emphasizing a night dedicated to celebrating diverse talents in the entertainment industry.

Ariana, Award, Humor, Film