Ariana Grande made an unexpected entrance during a new Focker-in-Law cast video, turning a mini Booksmart reunion into a playful exchange about the movie she was not in — and the Wicked films her co-stars missed out on.

Universal Pictures shared the clip on Monday, Nov. 2, as Focker-in-Law approaches its Thanksgiving weekend premiere. The video initially focuses on Skyler Gisondo, Beanie Feldstein and Eduardo Franco, who appear together in the new Meet the Parents franchise film seven years after working on Olivia Wilde’s critically acclaimed directorial debut, Booksmart.

Gisondo plays the fiancé of Grande’s character, Olivia, in Focker-in-Law. During the cast conversation, he reflects on the circumstances that reunited the three Booksmart actors before Grande suddenly steps into the frame and embraces Feldstein.

“I know I wasn’t in Booksmart, but I love them so much!” Grande tells the camera.

Gisondo and Franco respond by pointing out that, although Grande did not appear in their earlier movie, they were not part of the blockbuster Wicked duology. Grande received an Oscar nomination for her work in those films.

Feldstein then jokes that she “would’ve slayed” in Wicked and asks Grande, “Who should I have been? One of the monkeys?”

“No!” Grande replies with a laugh. The singer and actor is seen in the video wearing her Glinda-blonde ponytail.

Gisondo Praises Grande’s Work on the Movie

The affectionate cast moment follows Gisondo’s enthusiastic comments about working opposite Grande. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, he described the experience as “unbelievable” and praised both her range as a performer and her approach to the production.

“I’ve grown up watching her become one of the most famous and talented performers in the world,” Gisondo said. “She has an operatic vocal range, she’s an incredible performer and dancer and she’s effortlessly funny and charming in this movie.”

He also recalled hearing some of Grande’s unreleased music while they were working together.

“One day on set, after she played some of her unreleased music, I told her, ‘Nobody should be able to do this,’” Gisondo said. “She works so hard and cares so much about what she’s doing, and she’s such a perfectionist.”

Grande has since returned to her natural brunette hair after completing Focker-in-Law. In October, she revealed a new bob on Instagram, a hairstyle that received an enthusiastic response from her boyfriend, Ricky Alvarez.

Grande Remains Part of the Promotional Rollout

Grande’s appearance in the Universal video confirms that she is actively participating in the movie’s press cycle. Billboard previously confirmed that she would promote Focker-in-Law despite an August announcement from her representative that she planned to step back from other public engagements amid “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” following the Eternal Sunshine Tour.

The tour supported her Billboard 200-topping album Eternal Sunshine and coincided with the release of Petal, which also reached No. 1 on the U.S. albums chart. Her song “Hate That I Made You Love Me” topped the Billboard Hot 100 in June and remains in the chart’s top 10.

ShowBiz Take

Grande’s surprise cameo gives the Focker-in-Law rollout an easy display of cast chemistry while highlighting two notable screen connections at once. Gisondo, Feldstein and Franco get to celebrate their reunion seven years after Booksmart, while Grande’s arrival shifts the conversation toward her Oscar-nominated work in Wicked.

The clip also carries added significance because Grande is promoting the film while reducing her participation in other public engagements. Rather than treating her appearance as a conventional promotional stop, the video places her directly into the cast’s warm, joking dynamic.

What Happens Next?

Grande’s next confirmed promotional appearance will bring her together with Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller, the original leads of the Meet the Parents franchise. The three Focker-in-Law stars are scheduled to appear jointly on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Nov. 8, on NBC.

Focker-in-Law is set to premiere over Thanksgiving weekend.