Ariana Grande thanks ‘Friends, Botox and Juvederm’ after latest award win

Wicked star and international music icon Ariana Grande has cheekily paid tribute to two very special 'friends' while picking up her first award of the year at the Palm Springs International Film Festival

Hot on the heels of the success of blockbuster musical Wicked, Ariana Grande thanked two very special ‘friends’ when she stepped up to collect her first major award of 2025 at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival. The 31 year old singer was awarded the Rising Star award by The White Lotus and Legally Blonde star Jennifer Coolidge at a glamorous ceremony on Friday January 3, and didn’t hold back her humour while giving her acceptance speech.

Dressed in a stunning metallic gown with statement skirt, according to UsWeekly, Ariana proudly gushed: “Thank you guys so much,” while collecting her award, before continuing: “You don’t know how much it means to me.”

Reflecting on her performance journey so far, Ariana added: “I’ve been performing since I was a child, so I never thought at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words ‘rising star’ again, so I wanted to start by thanking my two friends: Botox and Juvederm.” As laughter erupted from the audience, she soon continued: “I thought I’d be hearing ‘slightly withering star’ or ‘drooping star’ by now, so thank you.”

The comment from Grande was a direct reference to her Vogue interview from September 2023, when she revealed to the world that she had relied on botox and “a ton” of lip filler through the years before deciding to stop using both in 2018.

“Being exposed to so many voices at a young age, and especially when people have things to say about your appearance at a young age, it’s really hard to know what’s worth hearing or not,” she explained at the time. “When you’re 17, you don’t really know that yet.”

In Friday’s speech, Ariana also paid tribute to her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, who she fondly referred to as a “brilliant sister” as well as director and “fearless leader” Jon M Chu, before going on to recall how comedy had been her first love long before her music megastardom.

“Being able to play Glinda the Good was not only the honour of my life but it felt like a homecoming,” Grande said. “For those of you who don’t know, I started out in stand-up comedy. My first professional gig was in our living room in Boca Raton, Fla., [to entertain] my grandparents. I was 4 years old and my mom gave me $5.”

She continued, “I learned early on that laughter was one of our greatest escapes and I remember the infectious impact that it had, not only on the people in my life, but how it fed me in return. And the past 10 years when I was really focused on music I really missed that feeling. So it really does feel like the beginning of a new chapter.”

Explaining the reasons behind Ariana’s win, Springs Film Festival chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said in a statement: “In Wicked , Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda elevates her to new heights with a powerful acting performance that beautifully combines her outstanding musical talent, brilliant characterisation and impeccable comedic timing.”

Chandi then continued: “Ariana is an iconic global performer, who has seamlessly transitioned to film in her first major starring role, proving herself to be a multifaceted and undeniable talent.This role is certain to be the beginning of the many accolades she will garner throughout her acting career. It is our great honour to recognise Ariana Grande with the Rising Star Award.”