Wicked star reveals she first had therapy aged EIGHT after ‘struggling to process’ parents’ divorce

SHE plays picture-perfect Good Witch Glinda in the big-screen adaptation of West End hit Wicked.

But despite having a dream role in a hit Hollywood film, Ariana Grande has lifted the veil on her own path to stardom ­— revealing that she first saw a therapist at the tender age of eight.

The Thank U, Next singer told how she struggled to “process things” after mum Joan Grande and dad Edward Butera ended their marriage in 2001.

She said: “I first saw a therapist when I was eight after my parents’ divorce — but I don’t think I was really mature enough to process things.

“But as I have gotten older, my therapist has been everything to me.”

Ariana previously credited therapy with helping her process the aftermath of the terror bomb attack on the Manchester Arena which tragically killed 22 at her concert in May 2017.

The pop star suffered further heartbreak when her rapper ex Mac Miller died from an accidental drug overdose in 2018.

She added: “Therapy has saved my life. That is why I am so passionate about making therapy and mental health services available for all.

"It shouldn’t just be for those that can afford it.”

Meanwhile, the US singer also opened up about her close relationship with Wicked co-star and British actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, which hit cinemas on Friday.

She said: “We have become such criers — especially in the last few weeks.

"As we have been able to see the final product of what we have done, as we have been able to see people’s reactions to the movie — it’s just been so emotional.

“Cynthia and myself just randomly burst out crying — but don’t worry, they are good tears!

“Honestly, she has become my sister.

"The first time we met we had what we thought would be a short conversation about what we wanted to achieve creatively — and it ended up with us talking for hours, bonding over so many things.

“Creatively we wanted to do all we could — but we also decided early on that we would be there during shooting for each other — no matter what.

“I am so proud of what everybody on Wicked has achieved — but the greatest thing for me is that I have gained a sister for life.”

Sabrina lives the American gleam

POP superstar Sabrina Carpenter is in the pink as she wraps the North American leg of her Short n’ Sweet Tour.

The Espresso hitmaker glittered in a fuchsia bodysuit and matching suspenders as she posed backstage earlier this week.

She said: “I have always dreamt of bringing this tour to life but it was even better than I could have imagined because of every crowd that showed up and gave 100 per cent of their energy and time.”

Sabrina added: “Cry because it’s over for now, but we can’t wait to see you in the new year in Europe.”

She kicks off in the UK on March 6 at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.

I cannot wait.

So ma, so good, Adele

FAMILY matters were on Adele's mind when her mum joined her on stage as her long-running Las Vegas residency drew to a close.

Penny Adkins appeared alongside her daughter on Friday night at the singer’s penultimate show at Caesars Palace.

Adele, who shares 12-year-old Angelo with ex-husband Simon Konecki, said: “My own motherhood has helped me see my mother as a person rather than as a mum.

“My [social media] feed used to be about pets and nail results and the motivational meme was: ‘Go easy on your mother – it’s her first time living too.’

“And that really, really changed my perspective on everything to do with myself as a mum, her as a mum or all parents.

“Because life is hard. Life sucks. It doesn’t matter what situation you’re in. The problems never, never disappear – they just come in different forms.”

Adele, who completed her 100th show on Saturday night, said the residency has been the perfect “bookend” to her album 30, which she released in 2021.

She said: “All I wanted to do was do some shows – I didn’t mean to do this many.

“I wanted to do some songs from 30 and just fall in love with performing again.

Adele revealed: “My last tour in stadiums f*g freaked me out”, adding that she performed before “so many people, it took me a long time to kind of wrap my head around it.

“This [residency] felt perfect and was the bookend to this story and this album.”

Las Vegas won’t be the same without her.

Ed to Ed for film

ED SHEERAN has been spotted getting into the Christmas spirit.

The Thinking Out Loud hitmaker was filming in Southwold, Suffolk, with Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie also starring in a video for his new festive track Under The Tree, earlier this month.

The song is set to feature in a new Netflix animation film, That Christ-mas, directed by Love Actually and Notting Hill writer Richard Curtis.

A fan filmed the pair sitting in a beach hut with their arms around each other as Richard gave them instructions.

Claudia – best known as Eloise Bridgerton – could also be seen making cups of tea as pals stopped by to chat.

Earlier this year, Ed said of Richard: “He came to me two years ago to play me the rough [version] of That Christmas.

“It was just sketches and voices, but it blew me away. So emotional, yet so heartwarmingly funny.”

The film is set in the fictional town of Wellington-on-Sea and tells the story of the worst snowstorm in history, which causes havoc for everyone – including Santa.

Let’s hope Storm Bert doesn’t do the same…

JAMES BOND actor Daniel Craig reckons 007 movie bosses gambled on him.

He said: “They took a big risk and I am eternally grateful.”

But the Brit star of five Bond films had to take the job. He said of franchise producer Barbara Brocolli: “If you ever tried to tell Barbara ‘no’, you may understand.

SIMONE ASHLEY has swapped Bridgerton for Bastille in her latest project.

The Netflix star, who rose to fame as Kate Sharma, in the hit regency series, is the star of the band’s short film for their track Eve and Paradise Lost.

It sees Simone crying as she takes on the role of Eve with the lyrics delving into love, loss and betrayal.

Lead singer Dan Smith, who worked with British director Dominic Savage, said: “I was totally blown away by Simone’s performance on the day which surpasses anything I could have imagined.”

Simon added: “When I first heard this song, I immediately felt a connection to it. I loved working with Dan and Dominic and feel so proud of what we have created."