A Reporter Bluntly Asked Ariana If Her Nonna Is “Still Alive” On The Golden Globes Red Carpet

Poignantly, Nonna is actually the person who first introduced Ariana to Wicked when she took her to see the stage show way back in 2003. 

In the past, Nonna has joined Ariana at red-carpet events, but it is thought that she was unable to travel to attend any of the official Wicked premieres around the globe following her 99th birthday in October. 

Instead, Ari brought a screening to her, with the two joined by Ariana’s brother, Frankie Grande, boyfriend and costar, Ethan Slater, as well as her mom — Nonna’s daughter — Joan Grande. 

Nonna looked overwhelmed with pride for her granddaughter in social media posts that were shared by Ariana at the time, with Frankie reposting one of them to add: “This was one of the most special moments in my life. I will remember it & cherish it til I’m 99 too.”