Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey Recount Shocking Paparazzi Stunt on ‘Wicked’ Set
Stars Reveal How Paparazzi Used Hand-Gliders to Spy on Filming
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, stars of the highly anticipated film adaptation of *Wicked*, have opened up about a shocking incident involving paparazzi on the movie’s set.
During a conversation for *VMan* magazine, the two actors revealed that paparazzi went to extraordinary lengths to capture footage from the Jon M. Chu-directed film. One particularly daring stunt involved a man using a hand-glider to fly over the set, equipped with a GoPro camera.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” Grande recalled. “There’s no way! I was like, ah, guy on a hand-glider.”
Bailey, who is also set to appear in the upcoming *Jurassic World* film, added, “It was a man on a massive kite, floating around with his legs hanging down. With a GoPro. With a GoPro on his toes.”
Despite the invasive tactics of the paparazzi, Grande and Bailey expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to work on such a beloved project. “It felt so small and private until all of a sudden, we were outside, and the Daily Mail was hand gliding over our set,” Grande said. “It was a teeny, little secret student thing — it’s intimacy.”
*Wicked* is based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name and follows the story of Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman with green skin, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda, a popular student. The first part of the film is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2024, with the second part following on November 26, 2025.
