David Becker/Getty ImagesAriana Grande is now a checkerboard chick!
The singer/actress has signed on to NBC's Hairspray Live! as Tracy Turnblad's perky BFF Penny Pingleton, E! News has confirmed.
Grande announced the big news on Twitter, writing, "Penny has been a dream role since Hairspray opened on Broadway. At 9, I was (and still am) in LOVE w @KerryButlerNyc. hope to make u proud ��"
"We're absolutely thrilled to round out our all-star ‘Hairspray Live!' cast with Ariana Grande, one of the biggest recording artists in the world," Robert Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment Chairman, said in a statement announcing the news. "She's also a Broadway baby at heart, having debuted on Broadway when she was 15, and will be fantastic in the delightful role of Penny Pingleton. We look forward to her millions of fans seeing yet another side to this multifaceted performer and we welcome her to this incredible ensemble of artists."
She joins a cast including newcomer Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad, Harvey Fierstein as Edna Turnblad, Martin Short as Wilbur Turnblad, Jennifer Hudson as Motormouth Maybelle, Kristin Chenoweth as Velma Von Tussle and Derek Hough as Corny Collins.
Baillio's casting came after a nationwide hunt for Tracy. "I only told my mom and my dad," Baillio confessed to E! News after her casting was finally revealed. "I've known for like two weeks. It's been the hardest thing ever, to not tell everyone. I don't know how they do it on Game of Thrones. I am so excited that I get to be part of this huge thing."
Yet to be cast are Penny's love, Seaweed, Tracy's love, Link Larkin, and Tracy's nemesis, Amber Von Tussle.
Hairspray Live! will debut Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. on NBC.