Ariana Grande made a surprise television appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Sunday after taking several months away from the spotlight. She joined her Focker-In-Law co-stars Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro to promote their upcoming holiday film. Her appearance marked a rare public outing since wrapping up her Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Ariana Grande returns to Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show
Grande, Stiller, and De Niro appeared during Jimmy Fallon’s monologue, where the trio brought some holiday cheer with a performance of “O Christmas Tree.” Their appearance also helped promote Focker-In-Law, the sequel to 2010’s Little Fockers, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 25 (via Deadline).
During her conversation with Fallon, Grande, who plays the girlfriend of Stiller’s character’s son, expressed her excitement about joining the film. She said she was “so honored” to be part of the project. The role marks her first film appearance since Wicked and Wicked: For Good.
The appearance comes after Grande completed her 41-show Eternal Sunshine Tour, which concluded on September 1. She had also stepped away from the planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George. This came amid what her representatives described as “ongoing public scrutiny” surrounding her physical health. This was following the release of her “Petal” music video.
Before the tour concluded, her representatives announced that the singer would be stepping away from public appearances to prioritize her health and well-being. However, Grande later addressed the online speculation during her Chicago concert, saying the discussion “had been blown out of proportion.” She also clarified that her break was a long-planned and “empowered decision,” rather than a response to the negativity.
By joining Stiller and De Niro for Focker-In-Law, she takes on a new role in the comedy franchise. With this, she will be returning to the screen ahead of the holiday release.
Sunday’s appearance was part of a special episode of The Tonight Show. It aired following NBC’s Sunday Night Football broadcast featuring the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
