Ariana Grande Returns to Musical Television in ‘Hairspray Live!’
Hairspray Live! has found its Penny Pingleton—Ariana Grande will be joining the cast of the NBC musical.
The pop star, who has been dominating the music world, got her start in musicals, starring on Broadway in 13. She then starred in Nickelodeon’s musical TV show Victorious, where she stood out among talents including The Rocky Horror Picture Show‘s Victoria Justice and Sex&Drug&Rock&Roll‘s Elizabeth Gillies. Plus, she’s no stranger to network television, having a short-lived but memorable role on Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens (“Also, there are no dinosaurs!”).
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She tweeted her excitement about joining the cast:
I AM NOWWW A CHECKERBOARD CHICK #HairsprayLive #Penny
— 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
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
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Grande joins a cast of Broadway legends, including Harvey Fierstein, Martin Short, and Kristin Chenoweth. Derek Hough, Jennifer Hudson and newbie Maddie Baillio round out the all-star cast.
Hairspray Live!, Wednesday, Dec. 7, 8/7c on NBC.
