Ariana Grande Joins ‘Meet the Parents 4’: What We Know So Far

Ariana Grande has clicked her heels and landed somewhere far from the Yellow Brick Road.

The “God Is a Woman” singer and Oscar-nominated actress has officially joined the cast of Universal Pictures’ upcoming “Meet the Parents” sequel.

Grande, who recently portrayed Glinda in the two-part adaptation of “Wicked,” shared the news on her Instagram story. She wrote, “Very thrilled to be joining (meeting) the family!!!!!!!” This marks her first acting role since wrapping Wicked, the second installment of which, “Wicked: For Good,” is set to premiere in theaters on November 21.

Returning Cast and New Additions

Grande will star alongside longtime franchise staples Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. The two funny men will return as Greg Focker and Jack Byrnes. Teri Polo and Blythe Danner are also confirmed to reprise their roles. This caused even more excitement among fans of the beloved comedy series. Safe to say they want to know more!

Since its debut in 2000, “Meet the Parents” has remained a fan favorite. The film grossed over $330 million worldwide and became the seventh highest-grossing film of its release year. The original story followed Greg, Stiller, as he endured a hilariously awkward weekend trying to win over his girlfriend’s parents. Most notably her father, Jack, who, surprise, surprise…is a former CIA operative.

The success led to two sequels: “Meet the Fockers” in 2004 and “Little Fockers” in 2010. Combined, the trilogy has earned a staggering $1.13 billion globally. Could it be that Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman are returning as Roz and Bernie Focker?

What We Know So Far: Ariana Grande is IN!

While plot details remain under wraps, producer Jane Rosenthal teased a generational twist during an interview with Variety. “Stiller is now the same age that [De Niro] was when we did the first one, and his kids have grown up, and they have to come home and meet the parents,” she said.

The formula of very hilarious and awkward family encounters, clashing personalities from both sides, and unforgettable one-liners is expected to charm audiences once again.

As for Grande, her transition from pop superstar to full-fledged actress has been quite smooth and well-received by all. Her role in “Wicked” earned her nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, Golden Globes, and the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actress. The film grossed nearly $800 million worldwide, proving her star power on both stage and screen.

With comedy icons, a new generational storyline, and a pop culture powerhouse joining the cast, this sequel is pretty much shaping up to be a must-watch! Personally, we can’t wait.