Honestly, if you told me back in 2023 that we’d be obsessing over a Roman gladiator and a pink-clad witch from Oz sharing a couch, I’d have said you’re reaching. But here we are. The pairing of Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal for Variety’s Actors on Actors series became one of those rare internet moments that didn't just feel like a PR stunt—it felt like a collision of two completely different worlds that somehow shared the same orbit.
Everyone was calling it "Glicked."
It was the spiritual successor to Barbenheimer, a box office showdown between Wicked and Gladiator II that turned into a mutual fan club. But beyond the memes and the clever portmanteaus, the conversation between these two revealed a lot more about their "thematically intertwined" projects than anyone expected.
The Glicked Phenomenon: More Than a Box Office Battle
When Wicked and Gladiator II both targeted a late November 2024 release, the internet did what it does best: it created a rivalry. But Grande and Mescal didn't play into the "us versus them" narrative. Instead, they leaned into the chaos.
Ariana was the first to bring up the "Glicked" term during their sit-down, basically admitting she was obsessed with the mashup posters fans were making. It’s funny because, on the surface, these movies couldn’t be more different. One is a soaring musical about sisterhood and political propaganda in a magical land; the other is a gritty, blood-soaked epic about a man fighting for his life in the Roman Colosseum.
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However, during their discussion, Ariana made a point that actually makes sense when you sit with it. She noted that both films deal with massive themes of good versus evil, dictatorships, and the corruption of power. Paul agreed. He’s a theater kid at heart—something that surprises people who only know him from Normal People—and he saw the connection immediately. It wasn't just about the date. It was about two massive, high-stakes productions trying to bring people back to the cinema for an "event" experience.
Theater Kids in Different Costumes
One of the most humanizing parts of the Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal interaction was the realization that they are both, fundamentally, musical theater nerds.
Paul Mescal’s background isn't just indie dramas and brooding stares. He grew up doing musicals in Ireland, even starring as the Phantom in a school production of The Phantom of the Opera when he was sixteen. You could see the genuine excitement in Ariana’s eyes when he brought that up.
- Ariana's Vocal Shift: She talked extensively about the "operatic and very classical" training she underwent for Glinda. It wasn't just singing; it was a total vocal placement shift.
- Paul’s Physicality: He countered with the "choreography" of Gladiator II. While Ariana was learning to hit high notes while suspended in a bubble, Paul was learning fight choreography that required the same kind of rhythmic precision.
They both spoke about their directors—Jon M. Chu and Ridley Scott—with a kind of reverence that felt authentic. Paul described Ridley as a "master of the craft" who works at a lightning-fast pace, while Ariana detailed the three-round audition process where she basically had to "hunt down" producer Marc Platt to prove she could be Glinda.
Addressing the "Chemistry" Rumors
Look, whenever two attractive, successful people sit in a room together for an hour, the "shipping" begins. It’s inevitable. Some corners of the internet tried to claim there was a romantic spark, while others—mostly on Reddit—viciously debated whether Paul "actively disliked" her or if Ariana was "out of her element."
The reality? It looked like professional mutual respect.
Paul has been consistently linked to singer Gracie Abrams, even being spotted with her throughout 2025 and at the early 2026 awards circuit for his film Hamnet. Meanwhile, Ariana has been through the ringer with the public eye regarding her own personal life.
What we saw on that Variety set was two actors who are deeply, perhaps even "insufferably" (their words!), passionate about the technical side of their work. They talked about "holding space" on set and the emotional toll of 13-hour days. It wasn't a date; it was a masterclass in how different paths—pop stardom and prestige indie acting—can lead to the same high-pressure destination.
Why This Connection Matters for the Future of Cinema
The Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal crossover proved that the "Barbenheimer" model isn't a fluke. It’s a strategy. By embracing the "Glicked" meme, both films reached audiences they might have otherwise missed.
Paul’s fans, often "Cinephile Twitter" types, were introduced to the technical rigor Ariana brought to Wicked. Conversely, Ariana’s massive pop fan base was given a reason to check out a Roman epic.
This kind of cross-pollination is exactly what the industry needs right now. It breaks down the silos between "prestige" and "pop," showing that a Ridley Scott epic and a Broadway adaptation can coexist and even support one another.
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What You Should Do Next
If you’re still caught up in the Glicked hype or just want to see these two at their best, here is the move:
- Watch the Variety Interview: Don't just read the snippets. Watch the full Actors on Actors episode to see the vocal shifts and body language. It's a lesson in professional empathy.
- Track the "Hamnet" News: Paul Mescal is continuing his streak of heavy-hitting roles. If you liked his intensity in Gladiator II, his work in Hamnet (which took home big wins at the 2026 Golden Globes) is the natural next step.
- Revisit Ariana's Live Performances: To appreciate the "vocal placement" she discussed with Paul, listen to her 2024/2025 live versions of "Popular" compared to her Eternal Sunshine tracks. The difference in technique is wild when you actually listen for it.
The Glicked era might be over in terms of release dates, but the respect established between these two performers set a new bar for how A-list stars interact across genres. It wasn't just a trend; it was a rare moment of two masters of their craft recognizing the work in each other.