Selena Gomez Says Ariana Grande Reminds Her That ‘Women Can Always Be Supportive of Each Other’

It may have been months since their concurrent Wicked and Emilia Pérez awards cycles ended, but Selena Gomez is still in Ariana Grande‘s corner.

In a sweet post to Instagram Stories on Friday (May 23), the Rare Beauty founder reshared a video from February’s Santa Barbara International Film Festival — featuring Gomez hugging the “Yes, And?” singer from behind and giving her a kiss on the shoulder by the red carpet — and shared some kind words for her friend. “I’m reminded that women can always be supportive of each other,” the Only Murders in the Building actress wrote.

Gomez also added, “I love you Ari.”

The two former child actresses bonded this past year as both of their onscreen projects — Grande played Glinda in Wicked while Gomez starred as Jessi in Emilia Pérez — were nominated in many of the same awards categories in 2025. At the Academy Women’s Luncheon in December, the pair sat next to each other and gushed about their blossoming friendship.

“I really love watching this moment happen for Selena,” the Victorious alum told Variety at the time of Gomez’s then-recent Golden Globes nomination. “I know how hard she’s worked and how long she’s waited. I recognize that, because it resonates with me, so I know that feeling. So when you can reach out to your friends in the industry and say, ‘Great work, congratulations,’ why not do it? I don’t know Selena as well as I wish I did, so I’m excited to sit next to her today.”

“Ariana texted me and it was the sweetest note and it was about six in the morning,” Gomez added, noting that Grande was one of the first people to congratulate her. “We sent each other voice messages. It was very exciting.”

The “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” musician is currently gearing up to do the Wicked promo and awards cycle all over again, with the November premiere of Part 2 getting closer and closer each day. Earlier in May, Universal shared For Good‘s first official poster as well as a release date for the sequel’s trailer: June 4, when the first film will return to theaters for one night only in the United States and Canada.

For Gomez, the focus shifted to music after the Emilia Pérez fanfare wrapped, with the star releasing a joint album with fiancé Benny Blanco. Titled I Said I Love You First, the project reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.