Kristin Chenoweth From One Glinda To Another!!! Gifts Ariana Custom Jacket

Kristin Chenoweth may have nailed Glinda on Broadway, but she was all about a wicked smooth transition while passing the baton to Ariana Grande on the set of the "Wicked" movie.

The stage star shared some behind-the-scenes magic on X, posting pics of her and Ariana rocking matching custom pink Glinda jackets while filming ... explaining she had surprised her with the outfits as a "little physical memento of our 'passing of the wand.'"

In true Glinda form, Kristin said she was all about leading Ariana down the yellow brick road -- or any road, really -- and couldn't be prouder of her!

Celebrity Scramble Guess Who!

Hidden behind this cheeky-altered photo is a highly accoladed gal from across the pond who comes with an exceptional fashion sense. Given the clues, put your celeb knowledge on the line and see if you can land on the unknown star.

She scored big recognition with her performance on a popular Broadway show ... You probably haven't seen her wearing purple recently, because she's doused herself in green.

She can act her heart out ... she sings to the rafters, so without further ado ... Can you guess who this wickedly talented star is? Maybe her bestie, Ari, can help you out 😜!

What's The Big Frigin' Difference?!

Kristin Chenoweth -- aka the OG Glinda -- is defying gravity in these wickedly awesome photos! She rose to fame in pink, but take a look at this green ensemble and see if you can track down the witch switches.

Earlier this week in the Big Apple, the Broadway star made her grand exit and rocked a fire-fit -- donning a strapless sequin dress and strappy heels.

She may have passed the wand to Ariana Grande, but no one does Glinda the Good Witch like Chenoweth!

Can you find the minor magical changes?

HINT: There are THREE differences in the above Kristin Chenoweth photos!**

Nicole Scherzinger Stayed in Contact With Liam Payne ... Texted Him on Day He Died

Nicole Scherzinger stayed friends with Liam Payne right up until his death ... with one of her Broadway colleagues revealing the two texted on the day he died.

Andrew Lloyd Webber -- famed composer of some of the biggest Broadway shows ever -- sat down for an interview with Billboard to talk about the "Sunset Boulevard" revival running on Broadway. Nicole stars in the show, and Andrew touted her for her composure.

Lloyd Webber says a chief example of this came on the day Liam passed ... saying Liam and Nicole were sending messages back and forth in the afternoon. She found out he passed just before the show -- but, still went out and put on a great performance for reviewers.

Anne Hathaway Enchants With Queen Ballad!!! Sings Out for Kamala

Anne Hathaway has returned to her "Ella Enchanted" roots for a Kamala Harris fundraiser in NYC ... impressively belting out Queen's "Somebody to Love" for the crowd.

Check it out ... the actress took the stage at the Broadway for Harris event, where she loudly and proudly sang out the rock band's most famous love ballad. And, not for nothin', she sounded pretty solid, too!!!

Of course, Anne is no stranger to the tune, as her character in the "Ella Enchanted" film also belted out the Queen anthem in one iconic scene.

Hugh Jackman Help Us Find Broadway's Zelig Williams ... Dancer MIA Over a Week

Hugh Jackman is using his platform to assist in the search for missing Broadway dancer Zelig Williams ... who hasn't been seen in more than a week.

The actor, who performed with Williams on his 2019 tour, "The Man. The Music. The Show." posted on his Instagram Stories about his peer's disappearance ... asking anyone with information to "please reach out to your local authorities."

He added ... "Zelig we love you and are praying for your safe return. Please pass this message on!!!"

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie 15-Y-O Daughter Asked To Drop 'Pitt' On B'way Playbill: Report

Vivienne Jolie-Pitt appears to be following in her older sister's footsteps -- dropping her pop's last name professionally in a Broadway playbill, something she reportedly asked to have changed.

The 15-year-old daughter of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is currently working as a producer's assistant for the Broadway show 'The Outsiders' -- and, of course, she gets a credit in the playbill ... except it's written as "Vivienne Jolie," nothing more.

ET cites a source who claims the change isn't due to a lack of space ... instead, VJP apparently asked to leave "Pitt" off -- another of Brad's kids seemingly sending a message.

Kristin Chenoweth Praying for Diddy Shares Own Story of Abuse

Kristin Chenoweth is weighing in on the Diddy-Cassie saga – and somewhat surprisingly ... she says she's praying for the guy, noting this chapter hits close to home for her.

The actress spoke out on the 2016 video making the rounds – which shows Diddy beating on Cassie – and says she has her own reasons for being rattled by the footage ... which is why she admitted to her X followers that he's in her thoughts.

The comment raised alarms among her fans, who asked for more insight into her cryptic response -- while some were quick to slam her for seemingly empathizing with him. However, she quickly clarified, revealing she's actually a survivor of domestic abuse herself -- which is why she felt compelled to comment.

Adivina en quién se ha convertido esta adorable pequeña

Antes de que esta pequeña que creció en Ann Arbor -Michigan- se convirtiera en actriz y estrella de Broadway, bailaba como una loca en clase de danza, tocaba el piano y se subía al escenario en su instituto de Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Esta actriz es más conocida por interpretar a Mindy Chen en "Emily In Paris", pero si eso no te suena... tal vez la reconozcas por "Solo asesinatos en el edificio", de Hulu, junto a Selena Gomez y Steve Martin.

¿Necesitas otro empujoncito? Sus créditos teatrales incluyen "Mean Girls", "KPOP" y "Mama Mia".

¿Adivinas quién es?

Guess Who This Lil' Flower Girl Turned Into!

Before this cutie pie -- who grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan -- turned into an actress and Broadway star, she was dancin' up a storm in dance class, playing piano and hittin' the stage at her middle school in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

This actress is most known for playing Mindy Chen on "Emily In Paris," but if that' ain't ringing a bell ... maybe you'd recognize her from Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building" alongside Selena Gomez and Steve Martin.

Need another nudge? Her theater credits include "Mean Girls", "KPOP" and "Mamma Mia."

Can you guess who she is?

Ariana Grande Muy cariñosos con Ethan Slater

041024-ariana-ethan-kal-v2
cARIÑOSOS EN PÚBLICO

Ariana Grande y Ethan Slater se están mostrando orgullosamente como una pareja frente al mundo, tal como se ve en este cariñoso clip de una noche de fiesta en Las Vegas.

TMZ obtuvo el video de Ethan pegado al lado de Ariana y totalmente concentrado en la conversación con ella durante una elegante cena en Nobu Caesars Palace. Ambos se turnaron para poner sus brazos alrededor del otro durante la comida, la que fue organizada por Universal después de que la pareja, y también coprotagonistas de "Wicked", llegaran a CinemaCon para promocionar la película.

Aunque técnicamente era un evento de trabajo, seguían estando tiernos y cariños. Ella incluso le acarició la espalda mientras hablaban, con los ojos fijos el uno en el otro.

ARIANA GRANDE 'Wicked' PDA WITH ETHAN SLATER!!!

041024-ariana-ethan-kal-v2
Cozying Up

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater are fully out, and proudly presenting as a couple now ... as seen in this PDA-packed clip from a night out in Las Vegas.

TMZ obtained video of Ethan glued to Ariana's side as they were deep in convo during a swanky dinner at Nobu Caesars Palace. They took turns putting their arms around each other during the meal ... which was hosted by Universal after the couple -- and "Wicked" costars -- arrived at CinemaCon to hype the movie.

While it was, technically, a work event, they were still all about smiles and sweet nothings -- she even caressed his back while they chatted, with their eyes locked on each other.

Jeremy Strong & Michael Imperioli Stay in Character ... During Climate Broadway Protest

031524_broadway_activists_kal
"Write Your Own Play!"
Instagram/@oseh11

Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli weren't gonna let a group of rowdy climate protesters ruin their Broadway play -- 'cause in the middle of an outburst ... they kept on acting!

A couple climate activists representing the group Extinction Rebellion NYC jumped up to warn about the dangers of climate change during a performance of "An Enemy of the People" Thursday night ... and in the middle of JS and MI's show, things got loud quickly.

031524-climate-activists-kal
STOPPING THE SHOW
X / @XR_NYC

The protesters were shouting about government failures and the dying planet -- but, they chose a time when the play called for some audience engagement ... and some in the crowd seemed to think it was part of the show initially.

You see, "An Enemy of the People" follows a man -- in this case, played by Strong -- who tells an inconvenient truth and is crucified by his town ... reality imitating art, no doubt.

You can even hear Strong in one of the videos saying to let the protesters continue ... clearly staying in character while Imperioli literally shoved the man up the stairs -- totally in line with his character who is hoping to sweep the truth under the rug.

Of course ... the audience ultimately realized the protest wasn't actually part of the show -- but in the moment, it looks like a lot of people believed it was all an act.

100423-les-miserables-protest-kal 10/04/23
MID-SHOW MADNESS
X / @JustStop_Oil

It's a pretty slick way to protest ... especially when compared to stunts other climate activists have pulled -- like the London protesters who disrupted Les Misérables or the dude who glued himself to the ground at the U.S. Open last summer.

Unclear what charges, if any, the protesters may face over this incident ... but it sounds like the show kept right on going. So ... no harm, no foul?

Kudos to Jeremy and Michael for keeping their cool and sticking with their method approach -- if you can't beat 'em, just say your lines!

CHITA RIVERA BROADWAY LEGEND DEAD AT 91

Chita Rivera -- a pioneering Tony-winning Broadway star and the first Latina recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor -- has died.

The tragic news was confirmed by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, who said she passed away in New York following a brief illness.

Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, Chita famously forged a path for Latina artists ... becoming the first person to play Anita in "West Side Story" in 1957 and Velma Kelly in "Chicago."

She earned a staggering 10 Tony nominations during six decades on stage ... bagging the Best Actress in a Musical award for both "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "The Rink."

Chita also starred in Broadway productions of "Threepenny Opera," "Kiss Me Kate," and "Sweet Charity," among many others.

grave_injustice_kal
TMZ INVESTIGATES
TMZ Studios

Most recently, she was dancing onstage in the 2015 production of "The Visit" ... telling AP at the time she didn't know what she'd do if she wasn't moving, telling a story, or singing a song -- adding performance was "the spirit of my life."

Chita was also a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and became a NY Times bestseller in 2023 with the release of her book, "Chita: A Memoir."

She's survived by her daughter Lisa Mordente, siblings Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero, and her many nieces and nephews.

013024-chita-rivera-kal 5/15/18
LAST TIME WE SAW HER
TMZ.com

Her rep, Merle Frimark, revealed in a statement her funeral would be private and a memorial service would be announced in due course.

Chita was 91.

RIP

Chita Rivera La leyenda de Broadway muere a los 91

Chita Rivera, estrella pionera de Broadway, ganadora de un Tony y primera latina galardonada con el prestigioso Kennedy Center Honor, ha fallecido.

La trágica noticia fue confirmada por su hija Lisa Mordente, quien dijo que Chita falleció en Nueva York tras una breve enfermedad.

Nacida bajo el nombre de Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson, Chita es famosa por haber forjado un camino para los artistas latinos, convirtiéndose en la primera persona en interpretar Anita en "West Side Story" en 1957 y Velma Kelly en "Chicago".

Durante sus 60 años sobre los escenarios obtuvo 10 nominaciones a los premios Tony y se llevó el galardón a Mejor Actriz en un musical por "Kiss of the Spider Woman" y "The Rink".

Chita también protagonizó producciones de Broadway como de "Threepenny Opera", "Kiss Me Kate" y "Sweet Charity", entre muchas otras.

grave_injustice_kal
TMZ investiga
TMZ Studios

Más recientemente, estuvo bailando en la producción de 2015 de "The Visit". En ese momento le dijo a AP que no sabía qué haría si no se pudiera moverse, contar una historia o cantar, añadiendo que la actuación era "el espíritu de su vida."

Chita también recibió la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad y se convirtió en un bestseller del New York Times en 2023 con el lanzamiento de su libro, "Chita: A Memoir".

Le sobreviven su hija Lisa Mordente, sus hermanos Julio, Armando y Lola del Rivero, y sus numerosas sobrinas y sobrinos.

013024-chita-rivera-kal 5/15/18
La última vez que la vimos
TMZ.com

Su representante Merle Frimark reveló a través de un comunicado que su funeral sería privado y que se anunciaría un servicio conmemorativo a su debido tiempo.

Chita tenía 91 años. Que en paz descanse.