AHS and Scream Queens Crossover Abandoned Following Ariana Grande’s Departure
Ryan Murphy has disclosed that there were initial plans for a crossover between American Horror Story and Scream Queens, which ultimately fell through due to Ariana Grande‘s unexpected departure from the 13th season of the FX show.
“It was amusing because at one stage, I considered bringing the Scream Queens into this season, but Ariana was on tour, and I couldn’t make it happen,” Murphy, 60, shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday, September 23. “But she expressed her desire to participate! I just can’t be on tour.’ So I thought, ‘Okay, let me ponder that.’”
Grande, 33, was initially set to feature in the upcoming season of American Horror Story, but her schedule for the Eternal Sunshine Tour made it impossible for her to appear. Still, Murphy suggested there may be a glimmer of hope for the future.
“Sometimes it takes some time,” he noted. “But it was the tour that created the scheduling conflict, which I understood. She had previously informed me that it was going to be quite challenging to coordinate, and that weekend she was touring. I said, ‘Alright, I’ll push it to another time,’ so I haven’t lost hope. I adore her.”
In July, it was announced that the singer would not be part of the 13th season of AHS. Grande’s agenda has been fully booked following the release of Wicked and Wicked: For Good, in addition to her upcoming film Focker-in-Law, which is set to launch in November after her Eternal Sunshine Tour wraps up.
A spokesperson for Grande later confirmed that she would be taking a break from the public eye.
The statement shared in August read, “She looks forward to concluding the tour and ending it positively, both emotionally and physically, and then taking a well-deserved hiatus from public work and engagements, which have led to unending public scrutiny. This tour has been an incredible experience for her. She adores her fans and has cherished every moment of this tour.”
Before transitioning to film roles, Grande impressed audiences with her portrayal of Chanel #2 on Scream Queens.
The Fox slasher series debuted in 2015 and featured a star-studded cast that included Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Glen Powell, and Keke Palmer. The first season of Scream Queens revolved around members of the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority who were being murdered by the enigmatic Red Devil.
During its second season, the anthology introduced the Green Meanie, who targeted a hospital and its personnel — featuring many cast members from the inaugural season, including Kirstie Alley, Taylor Lautner, John Stamos, and James Earl III.
While it’s easy to remember mainstays like Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, and Jessica Lange from American Horror Story, the same cannot be said for guest stars who appeared for just a season or even a single episode, such as Adam Levine, Jenna Dewan, and Naomi Campbell. Lena Dunham, for instance, made a guest appearance in one episode of Cult […]
Following its cancellation in 2017, Curtis, 67, praised the series for its significant impact on audiences. “I’ve never been a part of something that had such an incredible response before anyone had even seen it,” she stated in a 2022 interview with Entertainment Weekly. “It was so innovative, so dark, so well-crafted, and so well-directed. It genuinely felt like it was going to transform television.”
Murphy has frequently suggested that he is looking to revive the series.
“Yes, it’s quite amusing; Emma and I discussed this yesterday. You know, they want me to make it happen,” he told THR on Wednesday. “I’m not sure.”
Murphy added: “Emma is very enthusiastic about it. I know Billie wants in. Lea has expressed interest. Ariana is eager, and Glen [Powell] is my all-time favorite.”
American Horror Story season 13 is set to premiere on FX and Hulu on Thursday, September 24, at 9 p.m. ET.
