Is there anything quite as delightful—and possibly heartbreaking—than witnessing someone’s dreams come true? Just ask Ari, who recently took a moment to express her overflowing gratitude in an emotional Instagram post after receiving recognition from The Academy. I mean, who among us hasn’t choked back tears while laughing and reminiscing over our childhood dreams? Ari’s heartfelt words and that adorable childhood snap made me chuckle and tear up all at once—now there’s a combo! She recounts her journey, from those innocent days of watching Judy Garland to celebrating monumental achievements with her “Wicked” family. Grab the tissues, folks, because this ride is all about love, pride, and the joys of recognition. Want to dive into the full emotional storm and see all the feels?

In a statement on Instagram, Ari wrote: “picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition. i cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise.”

Alongside a sweet photograph of herself as a child, she continued: “i’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered. i’m so proud of you, tiny. thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for this acknowledgement @theacademy.”

“thank you @jonmchu for taking this chance on me and for being the most unbelievably brilliant leader, human being, and most fierce friend. i am so deeply proud of my beautiful Wicked family,” she went on. “i am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo. your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always. i don’t quite have all my words yet, i’m still trying to breathe. but thank you. oh my goodness, thank you. Universal, Marc, my family, my heart. lemons and melons and pears, oh my. 🫧”

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