Ariana Grande Joins the Cast of "Meet the Parents 4"

Following her Oscar nomination for the acclaimed musical adaptation "Wicked", Ariana Grande has confirmed her next big movie project – and it's a return to one of the most popular comedy film series of the 2000s. As The Hollywood Reporter shares, she will be joining the cast of "Meet the Parents 4"

The story of Part 4 revolves around the now grown-up son of the characters played by Ben Stiller and Teri Polo. He has become engaged to a woman who at first sight does not seem to fit into the conservative, chaotic family picture – played by Ariana Grande. Based on initial insider information, Grande's character is expected to bring a great deal of new conflict to the family.

Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Teri Polo will be reprising their roles. The movie will be directed by John Hamburg, who has already worked as a screenwriter on all three preceding films. Jay Roach, who directed the original trilogy, is involved as a producer. The movie will be released in theaters on November 25, 2026.

The original series began in 2000 with the film "Meet the Parents", in which Ben Stiller, as a good-natured but constantly failing son-in-law-to-be, tries to win the favor of his future father-in-law. The explosive chemistry between the actors, coupled with razor-sharp timing, made the movie an international success – with box office takings of over 330 million US dollars worldwide.

Two successful sequels followed: "Meet the Fockers" (2004), in which Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand played the parents of Stiller's character, and "Little Fockers" (2010). Together, the movies grossed over 1.13 billion US dollars worldwide.

Ariana Grande on the Big Screen: A Look Back at her Previous Film and Series Appearances

Ariana Grande is known worldwide as a pop icon. Her distinctive voice, unmistakable style and stage presence have made her one of the most influential artists of her generation. But long before she dominated the charts, her career began in acting – first on stage, later in series and films. Below we take an in-depth look at the versatile artist's film and series appearances to date.

The Beginning: Broadway and Nickelodeon

Ariana Grande's career did not begin on television, but on Broadway. In 2008, she starred in Jason Robert Brown's musical "13" – a debut that brought her attention as a young, talented actress. But her real breakthrough came two years later with the role of Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon series "Victorious" (2010-2013).

Cat Valentine, an endearingly naive, often over-the-top girl with red hair and a high-pitched voice, quickly became a fan favorite. Grande embodied the role with a mixture of comedy, charm and youthful innocence. Her performance was so popular that she was also seen in the spin-off series "Sam & Cat" alongside Jennette McCurdy from 2013. Although the series only had one season, it cemented Grande's status as a teen star.

From TV Star to Pop Icon – With Occasional Acting

After the end of "Sam & Cat", Grande increasingly shifted her focus to her music career. She celebrated worldwide success with albums such as "Yours Truly" (2013), "My Everything" (2014) and "Dangerous Woman" (2016). Nevertheless, she never completely let go of acting.

In 2015, she appeared in the comedy series "Scream Queens" by Ryan Murphy, where she took on a guest role as Chanel #2. The series, a mixture of horror and black humor, showed Grande in a completely new light – self-deprecating and willing to be staged in a satirical setting. Although her performance was brief, it was well received by fans and critics alike.

She made another high-profile acting comeback in 2016 in an episode of the sketch show "Saturday Night Live". In a now legendary sketch, she imitated various pop stars such as Britney Spears, Shakira and Rihanna – a performance that not only showcased her comedic talent, but also her vocal versatility.

A Return to Film – and to the Musical Stage

A real milestone in Grande's acting career was her role in the Netflix musical "Don't Look Up" (2021). Directed by Adam McKay, she played pop diva Riley Bina – a parody of modern pop culture. Her performance, albeit brief, was a satirical dig at the media and influencer age and was described by critics as a success.

Her most important role as a film actress to date followed in 2024: Glinda the Good in the musical adaptation of "Wicked" – an adaptation of the Broadway hit that tells the prequel to the Wizard of Oz. Her casting made headlines even before filming began, and after the movie was released, her performance was celebrated by audiences and critics alike. Grande even received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for this role – a historic moment in her career.

Conclusion

Ariana Grande has long since established herself as more than just a pop star. Her acting career shows that she is willing to take risks, explore new roles and reinvent herself time and time again. Whether as a shrill teenager, a parodic diva or a musical princess: Grande's versatility, presence and keen sense of humor and emotion are impressive. Her performances to date give us hope that we will be able to see her on the big screen even more often in the future.