Leighton Meester Clarifies Viral Critics Choice Awards Moment with Ariana Grande
Leighton Meester is setting the record straight about a viral moment from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards involving Ariana Grande. The incident, which occurred on January 4th, sparked online speculation that Meester had mocked Grande, but the Gossip Girl alum explained the misunderstanding stemmed from simply not being able to hear Grande clearly.
The Viral Moment
Footage from the awards show showed Grande enthusiastically telling Meester, “I love you so much! Wow, wow, wow,” as she passed by on the red carpet. Meester responded with a laugh and a “Wah, wah, wah,” which some viewers interpreted as dismissive or mocking.
A Misheard Exchange
Meester detailed the situation on the finale episode of Penn Badgley’s podcast, Podcrushed, explaining that she misheard Grande’s initial comment. “I walked by Ariana Grande on the red carpet, and when you walk by her, it just becomes a moment on the internet,” she recalled. “And then Kate [her publicist] turns around, and we both heard that, ‘Hi, I love you. Wah, wah, wah.’”
Meester continued, “I couldn’t hear her. She was, like, walking away. And I was like, ‘Oh, she’s kind of a comedy queen. She’s just being funny.’ Like, ‘I love you. Wah, wah, wah.’ Like, I thought that would be something she would do.”
Clearing the Air
The actress revealed she had the opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding with Grande the following week. According to Meester, Grande found the whole situation amusing. “She’s like, ‘You thought I said wah, wah, wah? That’s so funny.’ And I was like, ‘No, it’s an ancient person not being able to hear.’ Like, that is so embarrassing.”
Context and Previous Awards Recognition
According to Page Six, Meester initially thought Grande was playfully referencing her emotional reaction to her husband, Adam Brody’s, win at the previous year’s awards show.
A Common Misunderstanding
Meester acknowledged the incident was “embarrassing,” but ultimately a harmless misunderstanding. The story highlights how quickly moments can be misinterpreted in the age of social media and the importance of clear communication.