Ariana Grande Reunites with Former ‘13’ Castmates Nearly 17 Years Later at ‘Wicked: For Good’ Screening
Nearly two decades after starring together in the 2008 Broadway musical 13, Ariana Grande reunited with her former castmates Allie Trimm and Aaron Simon Gross at a special screening of Wicked: For Good in New York City on Monday, October 27.
The trio all teens at the time of the original production embraced, reminisced, and posed for photos at the event, which was attended by members of the Broadway and touring casts of Wicked. Grande, 32, and Trimm, 31, shared smiles and hugs before inviting Gross, 32, to join them, creating a joyful reunion captured by photographers.
Grande and Gross have been friends since childhood in Boca Raton, Florida, long before 13, and their enduring bond was evident at the event. Trimm, currently starring as Glinda in Wicked on Broadway, wore Elphaba green for the occasion, adding a playful nod to the iconic show.
13 ran for 22 previews and 105 performances on Broadway from October 5, 2008, to January 4, 2009. Despite its short run, it remains historically significant as the first musical to feature an all-teen cast and band. The original production also included future stars Graham Phillips, Brynn Williams, and Liz Gillies.
Over the years, the musical has gained a cult following, and its original cast recording continues to be popular in high schools across the United States. Netflix released a film adaptation in 2022 starring Eli Golden, Josh Peck, Debra Messing, Peter Hermann, and Rhea Perlman, which was celebrated by members of the original Broadway cast.
The Wicked: For Good screening also honored the show’s legacy, with director Jon M. Chu thanking the original creative team including book writer Winnie Holzman, composer Stephen Schwartz, musical director Stephen Oremus, and producers Marc Platt and David Stone as well as Gregory Maguire, author of the novel on which Wicked is based.
Grande addressed the audience, saying, “This was done with so much love and respect for all of you who have done, and still do, eight shows a week of this. We love you, we share this with you. You're a part of this. It's an honor to be here and share it with you first.”
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, added in a video message, “It is as much an offering as the last one is to you, to this legacy, to this show and to all of your performances over the years. I hope you will be as proud of it as I am.”
Wicked: For Good opens in theaters on November 21, 2025.
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