Ariana Grande Wins Rising Star Award, Thanks to ‘Botox and Juvederm’

Ariana Grande thanked two special “friends” while accepting her first major award of the year.

“Thank you so much,” the 31-year-old Wicked star told the crowd at the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 3, where she was presented with the Rising Star Award. White lotus star Jennifer Coolidge.

“You don’t know how much this means to me,” Grande continued. “I’ve been performing since I was a kid, so I never thought I’d hear the words ‘rising star’ again at the age of 31, so I wanted to start by thanking my two friends: Botox and Juvederm.”

Grande’s joke was met with laughter from the audience when she added, “I thought I was going to hear ‘fading star’ or ‘falling star’ by now, so thank you.”

Related: Ariana Grande credits Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo for helping her “heal.”

Ariana Grande credits fellow badass Cynthia Erivo for helping her “heal certain parts” of herself. Grande, 31, and Erivo, 37, talked about their friendship in an interview with The New York Times that was published on Wednesday, November 6. “I feel really inspired by her fierce ability to be truthful and protect herself,” (…)

In September 2023, Grande revealed Fashion that she’s had botox and a “ton” of lip fillers over the years, but she did stopped 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 it yet.”

Grande also offered thanks in her speech on Friday Evil director and “fearless leader” John M. Chuas well as her co-driver and “great sister” Cynthia Erivowho portrayed Elphaba in Grande’s Glinda in the 2024 film musical. She went on to say that comedy was her first love, even before she became a pop star.

“Being able to play Glinda the Good was not only the honor of my life, but it felt like a homecoming,” Grande continued. “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, Florida, (for the amusement of) 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 contagious impact it had not only on the people in my life, but how it fed me in return. And for the last 10 years, when I was really focused on music, I really missed that feeling. So it really feels like the beginning of a new chapter.”

The Grammy winner was also nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for her role as Galinda, also known as Glinda The Good, in Wicked: Part One.

“IN EvilAriana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda elevates her to new heights with a powerful performance that beautifully combines her extraordinary musical talent, brilliant characterization and impeccable comedic timing,” said the Palm Springs Film Festival chairman. Nachhattar Singh Chandi he said declaration regarding the honor of the singer/actress.

“Ariana is an iconic global artist who transitioned seamlessly to film in her first major lead role, proving that she has a multi-faceted and undeniable talent,” continued Chandi. “This role is sure to be the start of the many accolades she will garner throughout her acting career. It is a great honor to honor Ariana Grande with the Rising Star Award.”