In the high-drama world of Port Charles, viewers are used to shocking reveals. But the biggest and most exciting news to come out of the General Hospital universe this week wasn’t a script twist—it was a real-life fairytale. Scarlett Spears, the rising star known and loved by millions as Donna Corinthos, the adorable daughter of the show’s iconic supercouple Sonny and Carly, has just been catapulted into the Hollywood stratosphere. In a move that has sent shockwaves of excitement through both the soap opera community and the film world, Spears has officially nabbed a “plum role” in one of the most anticipated movie events of the decade. She has been cast as Young Glinda in the Wicked sequel, Wicked: For Good.

This isn’t just any movie role. The Wicked film franchise is a true cultural juggernaut. Last year’s Wicked: Part One was a global phenomenon, shattering box office records and dazzling audiences with its spectacle and heart. The anticipation for the follow-up, Wicked: For Good, is at a fever pitch. This is the cinematic event that is set to dominate the holiday season, premiering nationwide on November 21, and to be a featured, named part of it is a career-defining opportunity for any actor, let alone one so young.

The news didn’t leak; it was a full-on, perfectly orchestrated Hollywood reveal. A brand-new trailer for the film just dropped on its official Instagram account, sending fans into a frenzy. In it, audiences got their very first, magical peek at Spears in the iconic role. The young actress is shown in full Glinda regalia, a vision in her character’s signature style, delivering a line that perfectly captures the character’s nascent ambition: “I want to be magical — for real!” It’s a moment that not only sets the stage for the beloved character but also feels like a perfect reflection of Spears’s own magical leap from daytime television to the biggest screen imaginable.

As if landing the role wasn’t momentous enough, the young star has also received the ultimate blessing from her superstar counterpart. Ariana Grande, the Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning powerhouse who portrays the adult Glinda, has made it abundantly clear that she is one of Spears’s biggest fans. In a stunning and heartfelt move, Grande took to her own official Instagram account to share an adorable on-set photo of herself with Spears. The caption wasn’t just a polite co-star acknowledgment; it was a gushing, deeply personal endorsement that speaks volumes about Spears’s performance.

“my tiny girl in the bubble,” Grande wrote, “played by the wonderful and talented @miss.scarlett.brielle… thank you for your beautiful work and for allowing the world to understand our Galinda more deeply than ever before.. ♡ i adore you so.”

This is not a casual post. This is a public passing of the bubble-wand, an anointing from one of the world’s biggest stars. Grande’s specific praise that Spears’s work will allow the world to “understand” the character “more deeply than ever before” confirms that this isn’t just a walk-on part. Spears is clearly making a significant, emotional impact on the character’s legacy, and her superstar co-star has put the entire world on notice. It’s a career-making co-sign that has left fans of both stars celebrating.

While this role is certainly her most high-profile gig to date, Scarlett Spears is no stranger to the pressures of a professional set. The young Florida native has been a working professional for most of her life. She began her career as a model even before she could read, and she has been a working actress since the tender age of 4. General Hospital fans have had the joy of watching her grow up right on their screens. She was only 5 years old when she stepped into the demanding role of Donna Corinthos in 2022.

Playing the daughter of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) is no small feat. It means being at the epicenter of the show’s most powerful and emotional storylines, holding her own against daytime television royalty. Spears has navigated the complexities of being a child of Port Charles’s most legendary, warring supercouple with a natural charm and quiet professionalism that has made her an absolute fan favorite. She’s a pro in every sense of the word, and her leap to the big screen feels like a natural, if incredibly fast, progression.

The excitement isn’t just confined to movie blogs and A-list Instagram accounts. Her General Hospital family, who have watched her grow up, were among the very first to celebrate her massive success. The GH set is famously a close-knit group, and the outpouring of love for their “Donna” was immediate and enthusiastic. Jacqueline Grace Lopez (ex-Blaze) was one of the first to chime in on Instagram, writing, “Gaah! Congrats Scarlett!” Her on-screen brother, Rory Gibson (Michael), was equally thrilled, flooding her comments with a series of proud applause emojis.

This is one of those rare, perfect Hollywood stories. A talented young actress, already beloved by millions in one medium, is now poised to conquer another. To go from the General Hospital Nurses’ Ball red carpet (where her character, Donna, was famously “pretty in pink” alongside her proud pop, Sonny) to the magical Land of Oz is the kind of leap most actors only dream of. Scarlett Spears has not only landed a role in a billion-dollar franchise, but she has also earned the personal adoration of its biggest star. As she prepares to light up the silver screen, one thing is clear: the world is about to see what General Hospital fans have known for years. Scarlett Spears is a star, and her journey is just beginning.