Ariana Grande Thanks Ryan Reynolds for 'Generous Words' at National Board of Review Gala: 'Meant So Much'

Ariana Grande is thanking Ryan Reynolds for his kind words about Wicked at the National Board of Review's 2024 gala.

Reynolds, 48, presented Wicked producer Marc Platt with the night's prize for best film of 2024 during the Tuesday, Jan. 7 gala, which Grande, 31, attended along with costars Cynthia Erivo, Michelle Yeoh and Ethan Slater, as well as director Jon M. Chu.

A special NBR Spotlight Award for Creative Collaboration went to Erivo and Grande, and Chu won best director.

"YOU REALLY MOVED ME @vancityreynolds CLEARLY LOL," Grande wrote on her Instagram Stories, in response to a photo Reynolds shared on his own Stories showing the star holding her hand over her heart during Reynolds' speech. "Thank you for the kindes[t] and most generous words last night am so serious they meant so much and I appreciate you !!!!!!"

Related: Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Bring Wicked Charm During Date Night to National Board of Review Gala

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The Deadpool & Wolverine actor said in his speech, "Wicked is indeed wicked. It dares to center two powerful women. It examines a nuanced, complex relationship which has resonated with people for over two decades on stage."

"Stories about women seem to be held to a different set of standards, and that is to say that they're often held to the standards women are held to in life: You must be perfect. You must hide your strength. You must shape-shift or placate," said Reynolds. "But Donna Langley and Universal, they know where and with whom to place their trust, and it paid off in this film."

The actor also playfully ribbed Wicked cast member Jonathan Bailey during his speech.

“I have one note. I think we can all agree that Jonathan Bailey is objectively perfect. Perhaps too perfect. Personally, I would've preferred fewer scenes featuring Mr. Bailey," he joked. "Being good is great, but being great is bad. You can't just go around indiscriminately spraying charisma all over an enraptured audience. It might feel nice in the moment but it could easily destabilize the entire industry."

Related: Ryan Reynolds Is All Smiles as He Steps Out for First Time Since Blake Lively Filed Her Complaint Against Justin Baldoni

Early in the morning on Jan. 8, Reynolds shared a photo of himself posing with Grande, Erivo, 38, Yeoh, 62, Slater, 32, and Chu, 45. "What an honour presenting the NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW prize to @wickedmovie for BEST FILM," Reynolds wrote in a caption to the photo.

Reynolds and wife Blake Lively previously attended a Wicked screening with Grande and Erivo at the Metrograph in New York City on Dec. 4. Reynolds noted in his Jan. 7 speech that the Metrograph was "the very same theater" he took one of the couple's daughters to see The Wizard of Oz for "her first film on the big screen" back in 2017.

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