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Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at you, doesn’t it? One minute you’re in front of millions, delivering a perfect punchline, and the next thing you know, you’re caught up in a moment that takes on a life of its own. If you saw October’s episode ofSaturday NightLive—featuring Ariana Grande—you’ll be in the loop and know exactly what we’re getting at.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Picture the scene: it’sSNL, a stage that’s seen its fair share of jaw-dropping moments. Bowen Yang is sharing the spotlight with none other than Ariana Grande—an artist whose powerhouse vocals have long made her a household name.
But in the show, she wore a different hat and stepped into the comedic ring. As the sketch played out, something completely out of left field happened—a kiss. And not just any kiss, mind you, but one that was, shall we say, caused a bit more fireworks than either of them bargained for.

Ariana Grande& Bowen Yang:SNL’s Wickedly Funny Reunion
It’s rare when real-life chemistry translates so effortlessly to the stage, but Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang proved that besties do it better during the October 12 episode ofSaturday Night Live.
Ariana Grande’s Role in Wicked: What’s the Whole Controversy Around “Voice Change” About?
In fact, Grande kicked off herSNLmonologue with a tongue-in-cheek declaration that she wouldn’t be talking aboutWicked—you know, the Broadway musical that she’s starring in (SeeUS Magazine). But true to hermulti-talented nature, she still managed to slip in a bit of musical magic during her monologue, giving a playful nod to her role as Galinda.
But just when she tried to keep things low-key, Yang—ever the scene-stealer—showed up in fullWickedregalia: a replica of her iconic pink ballgown, tiara, and wand. Of course, he didn’t just come dressed to impress. He also came with a hidden surprise—a flask disguised as a wand. Grande, unfazed, had a perfect retort, revealing the flask in his hand.

The evening’s humor didn’t stop there. The pair reunited for a series of hilarious sketches that showed off their impeccable comedic timing and undeniable chemistry. In one of the most memorable scenes (Charades With Momsketch), they played a couple at a family game night. As Yang’s character (the boyfriend of Grande’s son) tried to navigate his first meeting with the parents, things got hilariously heated during a competitive round of charades. As they traded barbs and insults, the playful digs took a sharp turn.
“You got a tiny pecker or something?” Grande shot at Yang’s character in a line so off-the-wall it was almost too funny. Yang, quick on his feet, shot back,

How about I beat your a*s right here, right now?
And with that, the playful bickering turned into a full-blown showdown. But because this wasSNL—and because it’s Yang and Grande—we were treated to a slapstick battle that included wine bottle smashing, life-size doll tossing, and, naturally, a passionate kiss. Yes, you read that right.

At one point, Grande’s character even got in the last word with a dramatic
Well, well, well, you did it. Finally—one of my son’s boyfriends stood up to me.
The moment was absurd, hilarious, and totally unforgettable. Fans couldn’t stop talking about the sketch, especially when it took an unexpected turn with a passionate kiss—because, of course, why not end a chaotic family game night with some sizzling on-screen chemistry?
Bowen Yang Reflects on the Awkward, Hilarious Kiss with Ariana Grande OnSNL
When the line between comedy and chaos gets a little blurry, that’s when the magic really happens — andSaturday Night Livecertainly delivered last month.
In theCharades With Momsketch,Ariana Grandeand Bowen Yang’s characters found themselves in the middle of a hilariously intense family game night. Everything was going according to plan until, out of nowhere, the two shared an impromptu kiss that had the audience howling. What started as a simple game quickly turned into a passionate, unexpected moment — but as Yang later admitted, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.
During a recent episode of hisLa Culturistaspodcast, Yang opened up about the awkward kiss:
I really have to apologize to you in person. I opened my mouth up too much when we kissed on SNL.
Grande, always the witty one, didn’t hold back with her reply:
You absolutely did. I was shaking after.
She quickly clarified, though,“Not in a bad way! Just in a disarming way,”proving once again how in sync the two are. While the kiss might have seemed spontaneous, the idea actually grew out of the duo’s own creative instincts. Grande revealed that, during rehearsal, she noticed something was missing. She confessed:
It felt like what these people needed at that time. It felt like what these characters required. And I’m all for it.
Yang jumped on board with the idea, and, as they say, the rest is history.
Bowen Yang Opens Up About the Deep Friendship with Ariana Grande DuringWickedFilming
But beyond the funny moments on-screen, there’s a deeper bond between these two stars that goes back to their time working together onWicked. As they prepare for the release of the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical,Bowen Yangand Ariana Grande have formed a tight-knit friendship. Grande, who plays Glinda, and Yang, who stars as Pfannee, have had each other’s backs throughout the intense filming process.
Yang admitted to feeling the pressure of juggling bothSNLandWickedschedules, often flying back and forth between New York and London. It was during these grueling times that Grande really showed up for him, Yang recalled (viaThe New Yorker):
This cannot sound anything but name-droppy, but Ariana Grande was reaching out and going, ‘Are you OK? Come over! Let’s just watch a movie. Let’s get you better.
The kiss wasn’t the only thing that made the episode unforgettable. It was also the sheer fun of watching two incredibly talented individuals — who happen to be great friends — have a blast together.
Comparing Ariana Grande’s Before and After Pictures As Star Denies Eye Lift, Nose Job, and More Crazy Rumors
But it wasn’t just the humor that made their dynamic shine; it was also the camaraderie. Grande, always the loyal friend, had nothing but praise for Yang’s ability to juggle the hectic schedules. Referring to him as “badass and incredible,” she shared her concern about the toll it was taking on him. The actress said:
I understand what it feels like to travel back and forth so often and then have to perform the next day with no time for your body or mind to figure out what’s going on. It is incredibly hard and unusual.
That’s why she made sure to always be there for him, offering her ear, a hug, and the support he needed.
The Wait Is Almost Over:WickedMovie Adaptation Teases Big Changes and New Magic
When you think of iconic Broadway musicals,Wickedis one that undoubtedly tops the list. Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel,Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, this Tony-winning spectacle has captured the hearts of millions with its powerful songs, complex characters, and memorable twists. Now, after years of anticipation and speculation, Universal’s movie adaptation is on the horizon — and it’s promising to be nothing like we’ve seen before.
A project that was first announced in 2016 (seeTHR), theWickedfilm has been a long time coming. While fans have been eager to seeWickedbrought to life on the big screen, director Jon M. Chu — known for his work onCrazy Rich AsiansandIn the Heights— wanted to ensure that the movie didn’t feel rushed. Rather than squeezing everything into one film, the creative team decided to split the story into two parts to give it the space it deserves. Chu explained that by doing so, they would be able to tellWickedas it was truly meant to be told (viaPEOPLE):
With more space, we can tell the story of Wicked as it was meant to be told.
And don’t think for a second that Wicked will simply be a carbon copy of what’s already been seen.Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the movie, teased that the film will be a fresh take (viaEntertainment Tonight):
I think it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. We’re going to enjoy the magic of it.
With the creative team behind it and the incomparable performances we can expect from Erivo and Grande, it looks like the journey to Oz will be just as thrilling as ever.
So, mark your calendars, because thisWickedride is about to take off — and you won’t want to miss it!
Wickedwill be released on July 10, 2025.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.