Erin Jensen
USA TODAY
Published 9:23 AM EST Nov 7, 2018
Ariana Grande’s debut performance of the ballad about her exes, “Thank U, Next,” was nearly flawless, except for one small, literal misstep.
During Wednesday’s “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the singer got her “First Wives Club” on, sandwiched between two dancers all dressed in white. The trio even did some of the same dance moves as the revenge-seeking wives played by Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton, as they celebrated their independence while belting out “You Don’t Own Me” at the 1996 film’s close.
Grande’s lyrics to the song, which dropped Saturday night, just before her ex-fiancé Pete Davidson’s “Saturday Night Live” went on the air, celebrates finding happiness with her new love (herself) after failed relationships with the comedian, as well as Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez and the late Mac Miller. The anthem shares a self-empowerment vibe with “First Wives,” a film favored by Grande.
After briefly dancing on a chair in high-heeled, over-the-knee boots, Grande got tripped up trying to dismount. It appears her left boot got caught up in the asymmetrical, flowy fabric attached to her suit.
“Oh, my God!” Grande let out, before returning to the mic to continue her performance. Seemingly able to find humor in the moment, she later let out a giggle.
Unfortunately for Grande, that wasn’t her only gaffe. Though she made an exit from the stage that undoubtedly Elise, Brenda and Annie would be proud of – climbing the stairs while busting out “First Wives” moves – it turns out she was supposed to stick around to talk to the host.
“She’s gone. She left,” a surprised DeGeneres remarked of her runaway guest.
“We were supposed to come down?” a confused Grande asked after she’d returned to the stage. “I thought we were supposed to exit?”
“No,” DeGeneres replied.
“Oh, my bad. I thought we were supposed to exit at the top, my bad,” said Grande.
“It’s totally fine,” DeGeneres said. “We’re happy that you came back.”
Grande performed for the first time since calling it quits with Davidson for NBC’s “A Very Wicked Halloween: Celebrating 15 Years on Broadway” special, which aired on Oct. 29, just days after announcing a world tour for her latest album “Sweetener.”
More: Ariana Grande named Billboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year
More: Pete Davidson calls Ariana Grande a ‘wonderful, strong person’ on ‘Saturday Night Live’
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