The second chapter of the Wicked film series has taken the box office by storm.

However, this success seems to have come at a personal cost for Ariana Grande. According to several insiders, the lead actress is experiencing significant emotional strain and anxiety following the rigorous Wicked: For Good promotional tour.

In addition to her role in the forthcoming Focker-In-Law movie, the latest installment in the Meet the Parents series, Grande is gearing up for her Eternal Sunshine pop tour, slated to begin next June. It appears her packed schedule will remain relentless for the foreseeable future.

Sources have shared with the Daily Mail that those close to Grande are increasingly worried about her well-being. They are urging her to focus on her mental health following the debut of Wicked: For Good.

At age 32, Grande is being advised to rely on her close-knit support network, which includes her co-star Cynthia Erivo, 38. Erivo is reportedly prepared to handle any media obligations for Wicked as awards season approaches in the coming year.

‘Ariana did not handle [the press tour] well at all,’ a family member told the Daily Mail.

Multiple sources have laid bare to the Daily Mail the emotional toll and ‘anxiety’ that Ariana Grande (pictured) has experienced during the Wicked: For Good press tour

Inside sources have exclusively shared that Grande’s co-star Cynthia Erivo (left) has been a ‘support system’ for the actress

‘It bothered her a lot – from the red carpet incident [in which a man rushed her] to what people were saying about her online. She can be very thin-skinned, and people commenting on how skinny she is was really troubling to her.’

While last year’s promotional tour for Wicked: Part One delivered some memorable moments and viral memes, the release of the second film has been blighted by talk of excessive weight loss and even a frightening run-in with a crazed fanatic.

At the movie’s Singapore premiere in November, Grande was ambushed by Johnson Wen, a repeated red-carpet rusher who jumped the barrier to grab hold of her.

Thankfully, Erivo swooped into action, wrapping her arm around Grande as bodyguards grabbed the man.

At the time, a separate source revealed that the incident had triggered Grande’s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which she has been battling since the terrorist bombing at her concert in Manchester in 2017 that left 22 dead.

‘She is struggling right now,’ the family source told the Daily Mail this week. 

‘She’s not in a healthy place and she knows it. Everyone around her knows it. Her anxiety is through the roof. She over-exerted herself and the cracks started to show pretty quickly.

‘Fortunately she’s got a support system. Everyone is encouraging her to take care of her own mental health – because she needs to.’

Indeed, Grande has found a village in her Wicked cast members and, most notably, Erivo.

The pair have developed a close relationship since filming for the movie musical adaptation, directed by Jon M Chu, began in the UK in late 2022.

Much like last year’s promotional tour, the press junket for Wicked: For Good saw Grande and Erivo repeatedly crying and touching each other.

Such is their hyper-emotional closeness that Grande herself has even joked about being ‘secretly married’ to Erivo, while Erivo admitted they get ‘very emotional’ while talking about the film.

The family source explained to the Daily Mail that Grande ‘has leaned on Cynthia a lot’ throughout the chaotic press tour, and that Erivo ‘checks in’ with Grande multiple times a day.

Grande was ambushed by a notorious red carpet crasher Johnson Wen (pictured) at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good in November

Erivo and Grande have been the subject of many viral memes for their ‘ridiculous’ red carpet behavior and repeatedly crying during interviews

‘She really is her protector and helper, and they are even closer now than they were before,’ the insider said about Tony Award-winning Erivo.

‘She has almost taken a motherly role, but definitely a big sister. Cynthia is helping her get through this latest bout.’

A second insider agreed that Erivo has been a major support for the former child star – so much so, she is even willing to take on more promotional duties if Grande has to step back from the demands of her schedule.

‘If Ariana needs a break from it all, Cynthia is ready to take on any media requirements to protect Ariana at all costs – answer questions on her behalf,’ the second source told the Daily Mail.

‘Cynthia is the stronger presence between the two, and Ariana can’t thank her enough.’

Despite both the emotional and physical toll of the Wicked: For Good press tour, Grande has nabbed back-to-back Golden Globe nominations for best supporting actress for her performance as Glinda.

In a statement to the Hollywood Reporter after landing her nomination on Monday, Grande expressed how ‘honored’ she was to be nominated for a second time.

‘It is definitely just as exciting [as last year’s nomination] and kind of blindsiding. You don’t expect something like this, let alone [for it] to happen twice for the same role,’ Grande said. 

‘So I’m just deeply honored. I’m just really moved by it.’

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the second insider maintained Grande ‘had such an amazing time’ filming Wicked that ‘she got the bug to act more,’ which is why she signed on for Focker-in-Law.

Grande also expressed to the Hollywood Reporter that she’s interested in doing theater again, which is where she got her start in the 2008 Broadway musical titled 13.

‘I think as someone who started on Broadway, I would love to be on stage in that way again, and exercise a different muscle and continue to tell stories in different ways,’ she told the outlet. 

‘I’m so lucky to be here, and I love acting. It’s really fun.’

However, when it comes to her long-standing pop career, the singer has relayed to fans that her 41-date tour next summer – marking her first tour since 2019 – will be her ‘last hurrah’ for a long time.

‘She’s done with touring – it just takes so much out of her,’ the second source told the Daily Mail, noting that Grande would consider doing a ‘residency in Las Vegas’ for any future album releases.

‘She is adamant that this next tour might be her last. She’s going to give it her all on this tour, but she will be happy to be done with it all.’

The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Grande for comment, but has not heard back.