Ariana Grande Sends Gift to Influencer
“You are so incredibly loved,” Grande wrote in a heartfelt message to 9-year-old Brie Bird, who is fighting a rare form of cancer. Pop superstar Ariana Grande brought a moment of magic to 9-year-old social media influencer Brielle “Brie” Bird, who is currently battling stage 4 adrenocortical carcinoma, by sending her a personalized care package filled with gifts inspired by Grande’s upcoming role in Wicked. The surprise gift included merchandise from the film, a handwritten note, and a pink stuffed monkey — a nod to Grande’s character Glinda the Good Witch in the highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation. Brie’s family shared the emotional moment on social media, capturing the young influencer’s joy and gratitude as she unwrapped the items.
In her personal note, Ariana Grande wrote, “My sweetest Brie, I hope this brings you some joy today. I am sending you all my love, light, and strength. You are so incredibly loved.” The letter was signed with a hand-drawn heart and “Glinda,” the name of Grande’s character in the film. Brie Bird, who has amassed a following on platforms like Instagram and TikTok for her upbeat videos and candid updates about her cancer journey, was diagnosed in early 2023 with adrenocortical carcinoma, an aggressive and rare cancer that affects the adrenal glands. Her journey has inspired thousands across the internet, and celebrities including Taylor Swift and Lizzo have previously shown support.
Grande’s gift came just days after Brie completed another round of chemotherapy. Her mother, Casey Bird, expressed overwhelming gratitude for the gesture.
“It meant the world to Brie to be recognized by someone she admires so much,” Casey said in an interview with People.
“Ariana’s kindness and thoughtfulness brought a smile that we hadn’t seen in a while.” This is not the first time Grande has privately reached out to fans experiencing hardship. Over the years, the singer has built a reputation for responding to fans in crisis with genuine compassion — from paying tribute to victims of the Manchester bombing to quietly covering medical costs for young supporters.
Brie’s story continues to spread awareness about childhood cancer and the need for research into rare diseases. Her social media pages, managed by her family, have become not only a place for updates but a platform for advocacy. Grande’s team has confirmed the gift was arranged personally by the artist and is not part of any promotional effort for Wicked, which is set to hit theaters in November. The film co-stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and is directed by Jon M. Chu. For Brie and her family, the gesture was more than just a gift. “It gave her strength,” her mom said. “And reminded us all that even during the hardest days, kindness can still find its way in.”
