Overview
- Speaking on the Feb. 18 episode of Penn Badgley’s Podcrushed, Meester said she and her publicist both misheard Ariana Grande during their brief Critics Choice Awards encounter.
- Meester believed Grande was joking about her getting emotional over husband Adam Brody’s 2025 Critics Choice win, so she repeated what she thought was said.
- She recounted telling Grande about the confusion the following week and said Grande laughed at the explanation, indicating no ongoing tension.
- The Jan. 4 red-carpet snippet, posted by E! News, circulated widely and prompted criticism as well as defenses of Meester’s intent.
- Coverage noted that a representative for Grande did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Meester’s account.