BOCA RATON, Fla. — She may be a leading lady in the biggest movie in the world right now, but "Wicked" star Ariana Grande certainly doesn't forget her roots.
The Boca Raton native recently flew back to South Florida to watch the hit film with her beloved grandmother at the Cinemark 20 theater located off Glades Road.
"Flew to boca for a day to watch with Nonna at the movie theater i grew up going to every weekend," Grande posted on her Instagram account on Monday.
Photos showed the pop star holding her smiling grandmother's hands while they reclined in the theater's luxury leather seats. They were joined by Ariana's brother, actor and singer Frankie Grande, as well as her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, who's also in "Wicked."
Grande, who grew up in Boca Raton and attended Pine Crest School and North Broward Preparatory School, stars as Glinda in the film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical "Wicked," which tells the origin story of Elphaba, who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film has already grossed more than $178 million worldwide and has opened to rave reviews, particularly for Grande's performance.
A video posted on Grande's Instagram account showed the star holding her Nonna's hand while the pair watched Glinda perform her hit song, "Popular."
What moviegoers, music fans are saying about Grande's visit
WPTV went to the Cinemark 20 in Boca Raton to moviegoers' reactions.
"We're so excited to see Wicked today. I'm really excited to see Ariana perform as Glinda," exclaimed moviegoer Samantha Wolk.
"I love like the music! I've seen clips of it," added Safire Gonzalez.
Moviegoers packed the house for the screening of "Wicked."
"I think [the song] 'Popular' is a really big one I'm excited about," Wolk said.
So you can imagine their surprise when they learned about Grande's recent visit to the theater.
"I was so surprised, and I was like, 'Oh my God, Arianna Grande,'" Gonzalez said.
The Boca Raton native has received high praise for her role as Glinda the Good. It didn't take long for fans to notice her post on Instagram.
"It was really nice to see her come to her hometown and spend quality time with her grandma," Wolk said.
"It's cool to live in the same city where Ariana's roots come from," Marissa Ernest said.
The musical that's been a fan favorite for more than 20 years has Ariana Grande and Wicked fans harmonizing.
"I was excited to see Ariana, not going to lie because I know she’s a really good vocalist," Teagan Chin said.
The movie is winning over hearts and her hometown.
"I think it lived up to the expectation so I was pretty excited," Chin said. "I started crying during it. I’m not going to lie."
