Ariana Grande lifted the spirit of a young Wicked fan who is battling stage IV cancer with a sweet package and a special message.
Kid influencer Brielle Bird, known online as Brie Stronger Than Cancer, took to Instagram on Wednesday, August 6, to share a video in which she showed off the package she received from Grande, 32.
“Hi, everybody, today I’m gonna open another package, and today’s package is the best one yet,” Brie, 9, began. “It’s from my favorite person in the whole wide world, Ariana Grande, who plays [Glinda in] Wicked, and I am matching this little Funko Pop here, and she sent me two packages, and I am so excited to open them.”
Brie showed the camera her Glinda the Good Witch Funko Pop before opening up one of Grande’s boxes to reveal a pink Wicked tumbler and several Squishmallow stuffed toys. The collection included the Cowardly Lion, Glinda, the Tin Man, Elphaba, the Wizard of Oz and the Scarecrow.
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“It’s the Wicked Witch of the West, but it’s Elphaba, and she’s pretty kind in the movie, just the wizard … he is not smart. He wants to stop animals from talking, and I think that’s crazy,” Brie said. “So she’s a good person, not a bad one.”
Brie also received a bunny stuffed animal dressed in a Glinda costume, nail polish, makeup bags, a full size bottle of Grande’s Cloud Eau de Parfum, products from Grande’s r.e.m. beauty and a tote bag.
“Thank you so, so, so much Ariana Grande, I love everything in the package, especially the Squishmallows and everything else. I love that perfume,” Brie concluded.
The post also included a video message from Grande to Brie.
“Hi Brie, it’s Ariana. A little birdie told me (your mom told me) that you are a fan of Wicked and of Glinda’s, so I was inspired to put together this little care package for you that you will receive today. I hope you love it,” the actress said. “My personal favorite part is the Squishmallows. They’re very comfy and very cute, but I hope you enjoy it and I hope it makes you smile.”
Grande continued, “I’ve seen your videos, and I think you are the most amazing, most inspiring little light beam in this universe and you’re just so incredible. So thank you for being you, and I’m sending you so much love and many, many, many virtual hugs. I hope this makes you smile, and I’ll speak to you soon. Love you.”
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Brie was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that develops in nerve tissue, when she was 4 years old. She underwent six chemotherapy treatments, two bone marrow transplants and 12 rounds of radiation over the course of two years. Though she was considered cancer-free for 22 months, Brie relapsed in January 2024.
“Her cancer is back, and it has spread everywhere, including spots that were not there before. Relapse treatment is unfortunately unknown,” her family wrote via Instagram in July 2024. “It’s all a guessing game, the statistics aren’t great, but our God is. We are pleading for a big miracle, while we appreciate small moments!”