Music fans were in for a treat on February 4, as Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish sat down for a one-on-one conversation in Los Angeles following a special screening of Wicked at the Directors Guild of America.
As the credits rolled, the audience fell silent, shifting their focus to the theater entrance. Moments later, Grande and Eilish appeared together, stepping onto the stage.
Grande’s First Choice for the Interview? Billie Eilish.
Acting as moderator for the evening, Eilish joked that this wasn’t her usual role. Meanwhile, Grande admitted that Eilish was her dream choice for the conversation—though she hadn’t expected it to happen.
“My team asked me who my ideal person for this would be, and I said, ‘Billie Eilish. But she’s too busy, too amazing—it’s not going to happen.’ And when you said yes, I was like, ‘Oh no, now I’m so stressed,’” Grande confessed.
“I Know Too Much About You” – Eilish’s Longtime Admiration for Grande
Eilish, who has praised Grande as one of the greatest vocalists of our generation, revealed that she’s been a huge fan for years. She even dug up old YouTube comments from 2014, proving her admiration goes way back.
“I used to call you ‘Ari’ to my brother, and he’d say, ‘Don’t call her that. You don’t know her.’”
Grande laughed, then opened up about her deep love for Wicked, which played a key role in her commitment to staying true to Glinda’s character.
“I felt like the nerd Oz-history guy on set. I was kind of a gatekeeping fangirl.”
She then revealed that when Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz suggested adding hip-hop drums to “Popular”, she immediately objected:
“I thought, ‘How can I say this in the most polite and respectful way?’ And I just said, ‘That can’t be done.’”
The Three-Month Journey to Landing the Role
When Eilish asked about the audition process, Grande revealed that it took three months of intense preparation.
“I didn’t know if they’d even trust me with the role. I worked with my vocal and acting coach for three months before my first audition.”
During the audition, she performed four songs, reading for both Glinda and Elphaba:
No One Mourns the Wicked
Popular
The Wizard and I
Defying Gravity
Still, she admitted her role was clear from the start:
“I only wore pink—it was obvious.”
Eilish’s Excitement for Grande’s Role
Eilish recalled how excited she was when she learned Grande had been cast as Glinda:
“I saw it online and was like, ‘Damn, this is amazing! She wanted it so badly!’ And I didn’t even know you at the time. I was so excited.”
Turning to her mother in the audience, Eilish laughed:
“My mom makes fun of me because I’m such a big fan of yours!”
Grande, clearly touched, responded:
“Oh my god, this makes me so happy!”
Singing Live on Set: A Theatrical Must
At one point, Eilish expressed her shock upon learning that the actors in Wicked performed their songs live on set.
“I got into an argument with someone before I saw the movie, because they told me you sang live. And I said, ‘No way.’ Then they scolded me.”
Grande explained why singing live was non-negotiable for a production like Wicked:
**“For those of us with a theatrical background, singing live is essential. If you’re tied to a pre-recorded track, you lose the freedom to react, surprise your co-star, or let your voice break with emotion.
And let’s be real—Broadway actors do it eight times a week. We can handle 27 takes in a row!”**
The Moment That Sent Fans Into a Frenzy
Toward the end of the event, Eilish accidentally said, “A few more songs and then we’re leaving,” instead of “a few more questions.”
Realizing her mistake, she burst out laughing:
“Songs? Did I say songs? Oh my god, I meant questions. I’m on tour! I’m used to saying that!”
Grande took the opportunity to drop a huge hint:
“But we have to do it sometime, right?”
The audience erupted into cheers and applause, prompting Eilish’s enthusiastic response:
“I would really like that!”
A fan shouted from the crowd, “Do it now!”, causing them both to laugh again.
A Billie x Ariana Collab? It Might Be Closer Than Ever!
Though no official announcement has been made, the possibility of a collaboration between Billie Eilish and Ariana Grande feels more real than ever—and fans can’t wait!
