The entertainment world is currently buzzing with anticipation as the release date for one of the most awaited movie sequels of the decade approaches, but it is the eagle-eyed fans of the long-running soap opera General Hospital who are truly in for the biggest surprise of the year. When the highly anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good hits movie theaters nationwide on November 21st, audiences will see a collision of worlds that no one saw coming. Hidden amidst the magical scenery and Hollywood heavyweights is a very familiar face that soap opera devotees have watched grow up right before their eyes, and she has landed a role that is nothing short of pivotal.

The young actress causing all this commotion is none other than the adorable Scarlett Spears, known to millions of daytime television viewers as Donna, the daughter of the iconic Sonny and Carly on General Hospital. In a casting twist that has left fans absolutely stunned, this talented eight-year-old has made the massive leap from Port Charles to the land of Oz. Spears has been cast as the Young Glinda, playing the childhood version of the character portrayed by none other than the Grammy Award-winning global music superstar and Oscar nominee, Ariana Grande. This isn’t just a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo; it is a significant role that dives into the backstory of one of cinema’s most beloved characters.

The excitement reached a fever pitch this week when the trailer for Wicked: For Good finally dropped, giving the world its first glimpse of the magic that awaits. While the return of powerhouses like Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey has generated headlines, it was the appearance of Spears that stole the hearts of fans everywhere. In a truly standout moment from the preview, the young General Hospital star captures the essence of the character perfectly as she looks up with wide, hopeful eyes and declares, “I want to be magical … for real!” It is a line delivered with such sincerity that it immediately signaled to audiences that a new star has officially arrived on the big screen.

However, the most heartwarming and shocking part of this entire story isn’t just the casting itself, but the incredible reaction from Ariana Grande herself. The pop icon took a moment away from her hectic schedule to publicly heap praise on her “mini-me” via a touching Instagram post that has since gone viral. Grande’s words were filled with genuine emotion as she wrote to Scarlett, calling her “my tiny girl in the bubble.” She thanked the young actress for her beautiful work and for allowing the world to understand the character of Galinda more deeply than ever before, ending the tribute with the sweet sentiment, “I adore you so.”

This massive Hollywood break is a crowning achievement for Spears, who is currently only eight years old but has been working on the set of General Hospital since she was just four. Her daytime TV family was quick to share in the joy, proving that the bond between cast members goes far beyond the screen. Daytime Emmy nominee Jacqueline Grace Lopez, formerly known as Blaze, could hardly contain her excitement, posting a congratulatory message to Scarlett, while Rory Gibson, who plays her on-screen brother Michael, filled the comment section with applause emojis. As November 21st draws closer, fans are counting down the days to see their favorite little soap star transform into a magical icon, backed by the stamp of approval from Ariana Grande herself.