Ariana Grande Thanks Ryan Reynolds for 'Generous Words' at National Board of Review Gala: 'Meant So Much'

Mar. 15, 2025

Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, Ryan Reynolds, Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater on Jan. 7, 2025.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Ariana Grandeis thankingRyan Reynoldsfor his kind words aboutWickedat the National Board of Review’s 2024 gala.Reynolds, 48, presentedWickedproducerMarc Plattwith the night’s prize for best film of 2024 during the Tuesday, Jan. 7 gala, which Grande, 31, attended along with costarsCynthia Erivo,Michelle YeohandEthan Slater, as well as directorJon M. Chu.A special NBR Spotlight Award for Creative Collaboration went to Erivo and Grande, and Chu won best director.“YOU REALLY MOVED ME @vancityreynolds CLEARLY LOL,” Grande wrote on herInstagram Stories, in response to a photo Reynoldsshared on his own Storiesshowing the star holding her hand over her heart during Reynolds' speech. “Thank you for the kindes[t] and most generous words last night am so serious they meant so much and I appreciate you !!!!!!“Ariana Grande’s Instagram Stories on Jan. 8, 2025.Ariana Grande/InstagramNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.TheDeadpool & Wolverineactor said in his speech, “Wickedis indeed wicked. It dares to center two powerful women. It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage.““Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they’re often held to the standards women are held to in life: You must be perfect. You must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate,” said Reynolds. “But Donna Langley and Universal, they know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film.“The actor also playfully ribbedWickedcast memberJonathan Baileyduring his speech.“I have one note.I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect. Perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would’ve preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey,” he joked. “Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can’t just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice in the moment but it could easily destabilize the entire industry.“Blake Lively, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Ryan Reynolds on Dec. 3, 2024.Santiago Felipe/GettyEarly in the morning on Jan. 8, Reynolds shared a photo of himself posing with Grande, Erivo, 38, Yeoh, 62, Slater, 32, and Chu, 45. “What an honour presenting the NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW prize to @wickedmovie for BEST FILM,” Reynolds wrote in a caption to the photo.Reynolds and wifeBlake Livelypreviouslyattended aWickedscreening with Grande and Erivoat the Metrograph in New York City on Dec. 4. Reynolds noted in his Jan. 7 speech that the Metrograph was “the very same theater” he tookone of the couple’s daughtersto seeThe Wizard of Ozfor “her first film on the big screen” back in 2017.

Ariana Grandeis thankingRyan Reynoldsfor his kind words aboutWickedat the National Board of Review’s 2024 gala.

Reynolds, 48, presentedWickedproducerMarc Plattwith the night’s prize for best film of 2024 during the Tuesday, Jan. 7 gala, which Grande, 31, attended along with costarsCynthia Erivo,Michelle YeohandEthan Slater, as well as directorJon M. Chu.

A special NBR Spotlight Award for Creative Collaboration went to Erivo and Grande, and Chu won best director.

“YOU REALLY MOVED ME @vancityreynolds CLEARLY LOL,” Grande wrote on herInstagram Stories, in response to a photo Reynoldsshared on his own Storiesshowing the star holding her hand over her heart during Reynolds' speech. “Thank you for the kindes[t] and most generous words last night am so serious they meant so much and I appreciate you !!!!!!”

Ariana Grande’s Instagram Stories on Jan. 8, 2025.Ariana Grande/Instagram

Ariana Grande/Instagram

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

TheDeadpool & Wolverineactor said in his speech, “Wickedis indeed wicked. It dares to center two powerful women. It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage.”

“Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they’re often held to the standards women are held to in life: You must be perfect. You must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate,” said Reynolds. “But Donna Langley and Universal, they know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film.”

The actor also playfully ribbedWickedcast memberJonathan Baileyduring his speech.

“I have one note.I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect. Perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would’ve preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey,” he joked. “Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can’t just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice in the moment but it could easily destabilize the entire industry.”

Blake Lively, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Ryan Reynolds on Dec. 3, 2024.Santiago Felipe/Getty

Santiago Felipe/Getty

Early in the morning on Jan. 8, Reynolds shared a photo of himself posing with Grande, Erivo, 38, Yeoh, 62, Slater, 32, and Chu, 45. “What an honour presenting the NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW prize to @wickedmovie for BEST FILM,” Reynolds wrote in a caption to the photo.

Reynolds and wifeBlake Livelypreviouslyattended aWickedscreening with Grande and Erivoat the Metrograph in New York City on Dec. 4. Reynolds noted in his Jan. 7 speech that the Metrograph was “the very same theater” he tookone of the couple’s daughtersto seeThe Wizard of Ozfor “her first film on the big screen” back in 2017.

source: people.com