"Hairspray Live" aired on Wednesday at 7 P.M. and before that, Ariana Grande and her co-star, Kristin Chenoweth, talked about the message that they want to relay to the viewers. They pointed out that "Hairspray Live" is about love and unity that are shown through music.
The two were recently interviewed by E! News and the Grammy-nominated "Dangerous Woman" singer said that being able to do "Hairspray Live" is what she feeds off from as she came from the theater. Chenoweth echoed her statement saying that doing things live is what they believe is home. Grande continued to add that performing for "Hairspray Live," which is just a one-time only event, is something that they love and excites them.
Entertainment Tonight also reported that Chenoweth, 48, plays the role of Velma Von Tussle while Grande, 23, played the role of Penny Pingleton. Grande expressed in the past that she was obsessed with the role of Pingleton when she was a child. She shared when she announced that she will be joining "Hairspray Live" that Penny's role has been the one she sang along to and has been her favorite.
The two stars went live alongside Derek Hough, Dove Cameron, Garrett Clayton, Harvey Fierstein, Jennifer Hudson, Maddie Baillio, and Martin Short for "Hairspray Live." "Hairspray," the original film, was released in 1988. It follows the story of Tracy Turnbald as she chases her dream of being on a popular dance TV show. "Hairspray" also discusses the serious issues but showed it in a fun and upbeat way.
"Hairspray" is set in the 1960s in Baltimore and it talks about race relations and body image. It is especially powerful now due to the death of the unarmed teenager Freddie Gray, who was from Baltimore.
For "Hairspray Live," there were reportedly 500 audiences who watched. Grande and Chenoweth pointed out that they have been crying a lot as they got emotional over the fact that the production is coming to an end.
