Ariana Grande helped create the closing performance of “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” after pitching the idea during a Zoom call with executive producer Ben Winston.

Winston shared the story during an FYC event on the Universal lot. He revealed that Grande came up with the idea for the Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand-inspired “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again” duet.

Grande Suggested the Finale

According to Winston, Grande asked him how he planned to end the special.

Winston admitted, “‘I don’t know, I haven’t really thought about it.’”

He said Grande quickly offered a solution.

“She immediately pitched it, and she texted the video. We watched it together at the same time, and I was like, ‘This is amazing. What a great message to end it,” Winston said.

A Hopeful Ending

The special aired shortly before the release of “Wicked: For Good.” It featured performances of “Popular,” “Defying Gravity,” and “Thank Goodness.” It also included comedy sketches, choreography, and exclusive footage.

Music director Stephen Oremus said the duet was the perfect way to close the show.

“…to end with such a hopeful, beautiful thing and such an iconic duet between two iconic singers,” he said.

Recreating a Classic Performance

Oremus revealed that the team carefully recreated the famous arrangement.

“We reconstructed the entire arrangement that Judy and Margaret did note by note, and it was really just so emotional and so beautiful,” he said.

He added, “It took everyone out in such a positive, beautiful way. To have something refreshing that wasn’t from ‘Wicked’ was connected in some way with the whole Judy Garland of it all.”

“Wicked: One Wonderful Night” is currently being considered in multiple Emmy categories.