Ariana Grande's first meeting with Ben Stiller was certainly not the usual Hollywood introduction - and somehow, their reunion managed to get even more awkward. Appearing alongside Stiller and Robert De Niro on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the singer was asked about meeting her future Focker-in-Law co-star for the first time.
Her answer immediately sent the audience into laughter. The 2016 comedy featured Grande in Hansel's (Owen Wilson) eccentric romantic circle, so she and Stiller skipped the usual small talk and got straight to the unusual stuff.
"So right off the bat, we had a comfortability," she joked. Stiller agreed they had an instant connection, prompting Grande to add, "It sounds like two truths and a lie, but it's my reality."
Years later, the pair reunited for Focker-in-Law, in which Grande plays Olivia Jones, the strong-willed fiancée of Stiller's character Greg Focker's son. But their first scene together wasn't exactly a relaxed table read.
Instead, Grande had to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre on Stiller. "We were thrust into rehearsing the Heimlich scene, where I give you (Stiller) the Heimlich," she recalled.
She had expected to discuss their characters and work through the script; instead, the stunt team got straight to business. "It was crazy."
The production process for the film has been described by the cast as both intense and hilarious. Grande noted that jumping directly into physical comedy helped break the ice between the two performers.
"You don't really get to know someone until you've saved their life on camera," she quipped during the interview. Stiller, known for his deadpan delivery, added that the chemistry was palpable from the start.
The duo's ability to handle the absurdity of the scene speaks volumes about their professional rapport. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of the film, which promises a blend of high-stakes comedy and heartfelt moments.
As the promotional tour for the movie continues, more behind-the-scenes stories are expected to surface. The Tonight Show appearance served as a perfect platform to highlight the unique dynamic between the cast members.
With the release date approaching, the anticipation continues to build among cinema enthusiasts. Focker-in-Law arrives in theaters on November 25.
The film is expected to be a major box office draw, given the star-studded cast and the buzz surrounding Grande's return to the big screen. Audiences are looking forward to seeing how the chemistry translates on the silver screen.