The live Hairspray musical will be graced by Ariana Grande in a co-starring role. Can you guess who she’ll play?
Time’s up! Ariana Grande will play Penny in the live, televised adaptation of the beloved Baltimore-set musical. The role was played by fellow Hollywood troublemaker Amanda Bynes in the 2007 Hairspray.
In a series of tweets, Grande spoke about her love for musicals as well as Hairspray. It sounds like the casting is a dream come true for the singer!
I AM NOWWW A CHECKERBOARD CHICK #HairsprayLive #Penny
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
anyway… I’m so honored and beyond excited to be a part of this dream cast…… I will for sure pass out at the table read. #HairsprayLive
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
most of you know that i'm really just a musical theater geek…. like a really big one… so…. my heart is very full re: this announcement
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
Penny has been a dream role since Hairspray opened on Broadway. At 9, I was (and still am) in LOVE w @KerryButlerNyc. hope to make u proud ?
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
Ariana even had her wish granted by Kerry:
??You are PERFECT for Penny!! My daughter and I still watch you on Victorious. So excited for you!! https://t.co/NZjwooQ9iV
— Kerry Butler (@KerryButlerNyc) July 7, 2016
love you love you love you ! this means so much coming from you ♡ ♡ ♡ thank you ♡ https://t.co/thTqgKtTV2
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) July 7, 2016
Said NBC head Robert Greenblatt in a statement, “We’re absolutely thrilled to round out our all-star Hairspray Live! cast with Ariana Grande, one of the biggest recording artists in the world. She’s also a Broadway baby at heart, having debuted on Broadway when she was 15, and will be fantastic in the delightful role of Penny Pingleton. We look forward to her millions of fans seeing yet another side to this multifaceted performer and we welcome her to this incredible ensemble of artists.”
Grande joins previously announced co-stars Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough and newcomer Maddie Baillio.
Hairspray Live airs December 7 on NBC.