Ariana Grande admits she felt ‘deeply misunderstood’ in 2023… before revealing matching tattoo with Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo: ‘One of the most transformative, most challenging, yet happiest years’

Ariana Grande posted a note to her stories reflecting on 2023, calling it “one of the most transformative, most challenging, and yet happiest and most special years of my life.” She called herself ‘very misunderstood’.

The artist also revealed that she had matching tattoos with Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo.

The stars got the phrase ‘For Good’ tattooed on both hands – a nod to Wicked.

The 30-year-old pop star revealed the matching tattoos via her Instagram stories on Friday.

Ariana, who has more than 60 tattoos, mentioned in the stories the date they were inked: April 24, 2023.

Ariana shared her note with what appeared to be drawings for a Glinda tattoo and a special bell.

Ariana stars as Glinda in the Jon M. Chu-directed Wicked films.

Wicked the film is based on the hit Broadway play, based on the 1995 book Wicked: Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire.

Cynthia Erivo is tapped to play Elphaba and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible.

Wicked is split into two parts, one year apart.

Wicked Part 1 was originally scheduled for release on Christmas Day 2024, but has been moved to November 27, 2024, while the second part will be released on December 25, 2025.

The note she shared reflected on her year 2023, the year she worked on the Wicked films and a new album that she has revealed she will release in 2024.

Ariana added bubbly to her story note, writing, “One of the most transformative, most challenging, and yet happiest and most special years of my life. There were so many beautiful yet polarized feelings.

‘I have never felt so at the mercy of and accepted what life wanted to teach me. I have never felt more fulfilled or present in my work, because I was able to cherish every moment.

I have given everything I could of my heart and of myself to the projects I have been fortunate enough to be a part of and I have learned so much from every brilliant, beautiful soul I have had the privilege of creating art and crossing paths with.”

In addition to discussing her role as Glinda, Ariana also seemed to address the criticism she’s faced over her personal life this year.

Ariana and husband Dalton Gomez split in July 2023 after two years of marriage – with their separation date set for February 20, 2023, according to divorce papers.

Shortly after, it was revealed that she was dating her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater.

Days after their relationship came to light, Ethan filed for divorce from his wife Lilly Jay, with whom she shares a child born in 2022.

“I have never felt such pride, joy, or love while at the same time feeling so deeply misunderstood by people who don’t know me, who piece together whispers and make what they want of me and their assumptions about my life.

To add: I’ve learned how much more important one of those things is than the other.

“I have never felt so tightly held or fiercely protected by those who love and understand me (friends, family and fans alike). I feel safe, even in the midst of so many things I would normally be afraid of. I listen to myself and trust myself, even when fear or trauma tells me not to.

“I respond to things that deserve my energy and remove and protect myself from things that don’t.”

Ariana continued, “I am so eternally grateful for all the feelings I was lucky enough to feel so deeply this year. Mine and Galinda’s. The unfathomably difficult and the inexplicably happy. I feel more human than ever. I feel deeper than ever. I feel softer and stronger at the same time.

Ariana concluded her note: “Wrapping you all in a cocoon of love and wishing you a very happy, healthy New Year. If you ever feel misunderstood or alone, remember that it will pass, but it won’t for you. Take a deep breath and know that you are so incredibly loved. I can’t wait until next year. :)’