Ariana Grande‘s appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show took an unexpected and deeply emotional turn when the singer and actress was presented with an iconic piece of Hollywood history — Glinda the Good Witch’s original wand from The Wizard of Oz. Set to air Thursday, December 5, the episode features a heartwarming moment as Drew Barrymore unveils the treasured prop, leaving Grande speechless with emotion.
The moment unfolded when Barrymore, beaming with excitement, told Grande, “I have something that’s extremely exciting and special. It was owned by the Smithsonian and now it’s in private hands. But for the purposes of our sit down, they loaned it to us.” She then enthusiastically announced, “Bring out the original Glinda wand, please!”
As the wand — which once belonged to Billie Burke, who famously portrayed Glinda in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz — was brought onto the set, Grande’s reaction was immediate. She broke into tears, overwhelmed by the significance of the gift. “Thank you so much,” she said, her voice trembling. “Are you serious right now?” In a playful moment, she jokingly began to walk off with the wand, exclaiming, “Thank you, guys, it’s been fun. Bye!”
Ariana’s connection to the magical world of Oz isn’t just a one-time occurrence. As the star of the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, Grande portrays Galinda Upland, the younger version of the beloved Glinda. The two-part film is directed by Jon M. Chu and is a highly anticipated adaptation of the Broadway musical. This role connects her not only to a new generation of Wicked fans but also ties her to the timeless legacy of Glinda, a character that Billie Burke immortalized in The Wizard of Oz.
Barrymore, who couldn’t help but gush over how perfectly the wand suited Ariana, remarked, “You look so perfect with it.” Grande’s emotional response was a testament to the gravity of the moment. She turned to Barrymore, asking, “How did you pull this off?” In her characteristic blend of humor and sincerity, Grande jokingly wondered aloud, “Did you break in?”
With a smile, Barrymore answered, “I have to give credit to everyone on the show because literally, we were so excited about you coming here. That is the original wand from The Wizard of Oz. So there you go.”
The original Glinda wand is part of a larger resurgence of Wizard of Oz memorabilia making waves in the entertainment world. Just last month, Judy Garland’s iconic ruby slippers were put up for auction, nearly two decades after they were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005. Along with the slippers, another key piece from the 1939 film — Margaret Hamilton’s pointy hat worn as the Wicked Witch of the West — was also placed on the auction block. These artifacts, all part of Hollywood’s golden era, have long captivated fans and collectors alike.
For Grande, holding the wand wasn’t just a passing moment of nostalgia, but a full-circle connection to a role she had dreamed of for years. “Are you serious right now?” she asked, her voice filled with awe. As a child, many of us imagined living in the magical land of Oz, and now, Grande was holding the very wand that symbolized that enchanted world.
The star-studded Wicked film adaptation, which features Grande as Galinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, has already stirred massive excitement. The film will explore the untold story of the two witches from The Wizard of Oz, showing the friendship and rivalry that defines their complex relationship. As Wicked: Part One prepares for release, Part Two is slated for November 26, 2025, ensuring that fans will have plenty to look forward to in the years ahead.
On the Drew Barrymore Show, Grande also touched on how special the entire Wicked journey has been for her. “This could not have happened without these full-circle moments,” she explained, referring to the cameos and emotional connections she’s encountered along the way. But as she stood in front of the camera, wand in hand, it was clear that this was a moment she would cherish forever — one that connected her to The Wizard of Oz and its legendary Glinda, whose magic still sparkles today.
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