Ariana Grande's Gown At The 2026 Golden Globes Has More Meaning Than Meets The Eye

Ariana Grande seems to have said goodbye to "Wicked" for good with her 2026 Golden Globes outfit on Sunday, January 11. By opting for an all-black, voluminous Vivienne Westwood gown that didn't have a single speck of pink on it, the pop star essentially told the world that she was no longer carrying Glinda with her. It was as though she'd dressed for Glinda's funeral, and indeed, she lost the only category she was nominated in (best supporting actress in a motion picture). 

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In addition to sporting a slight tan, the Grammy winner seems to have made slight tweaks to her makeup, opting for more angled highlighter and blush placements, as well as a more neutral eyeshadow shade. However, the biggest departure from Glinda came through Grande's hairstyle, as she brought back her iconic ponytail. While many of Ariana Grande's outfits from the last two years screamed Glinda from "Wicked," her Golden Globes outfit seems to have borrowed from her past, a symbol that she'd fully stepped back into her own skin. After all, Grande had taken to Instagram in October 2025 to share that she had ditched her blond hair, which she'd adopted for "Wicked" in 2022, for her natural brunette tresses. 

Ariana Grande has had her fair share of hair mistakes over the years, but this change wasn't one of them. It's worth noting that Ariana Grande also ditched Glinda pink in favor of a hot fall trend at the 2025 VMAs last September, so the hints had been already been laid. Given all of this, it's safe to say that she's more than ready to usher in a new era of her life. However, that might be easier said than done since Glinda became a part of Grande somewhere along the yellow brick road.

Ariana Grande may not have wasted time in saying "Thank U, Next" to her exes, but she's had a much harder time bidding farewell to Glinda. And that's only natural, considering that she called it a "dream role" in a post on X all the way back in 2011 (via People). In December 2024, the pop star took to Instagram to share a video of herself from the moments after she filmed her final scene on Glinda's bubble. Grande was at a loss for words initially, but she eventually started to tear up as she reflected on how she had even formed an attachment to the props she used in character. Then, right around the time the "Wicked" sequel hit theaters in November 2025, the Nickelodeon alum shared an Instagram carousel chronicling her journey as Glinda. Naturally, the "Girl in the Bubble" singer was tearing up in numerous photos, which were presumably taken on her final days on set.

While letting go of a beloved character is undoubtedly painful for Grande, she still recognizes that a lot of good can come from it. Reflecting on saying goodbye to her character during a Q&A session in January 2026, Grande said, "I feel definitely at peace, I can say that. I feel grateful for her [...] I don't know that I would be able to make music or do this tour the way I am excited to without knowing Glinda" (via X). So, it seems that although "Wicked" will always hold a special place in Grande's heart, she's ready for her next adventure.