Young Man from Mirandópolis Launches Campaign to Meet Ariana Grande During Wicked Premiere in São Paulo
Photo: Montage/Gabriel Leite personal archive
Gabriel Leite, a journalism student from Mirandópolis, has turned to social media with one goal in mind: trying to meet Ariana Grande during her visit to São Paulo in November for the Wicked press tour. A fan of the singer for more than 13 years, he created an online campaign in hopes that his story might somehow reach Ariana or her team.
“This dream has been with me since I was a kid,” Gabriel says. “It’s something very personal, something that became part of who I am.”
Gabriel discovered Ariana back in 2012, when she was still starring in Nickelodeon’s Victorious. “She wasn’t even the main character, but there was something about her that caught my attention,” he remembers. “I started searching for her online and found her YouTube videos singing covers of Mariah Carey and Katy Perry songs. Since then, I’ve followed everything she’s done.”
Over the years, his admiration only grew stronger. Gabriel eventually became one of the administrators of Ariana Grande Brasil (AGBR), one of the largest fan communities dedicated to the artist in Brazil. More than the music itself, he says he admires Ariana’s story.
“When you really learn about her journey and everything she transformed into art, you understand why so many people connect with her,” he explains. “She inspired me in ways I can’t even fully describe.”
The announcement of Ariana’s return to Brazil came as a shock to him. “I was at work when I saw the news, and honestly, I froze,” he says, laughing. “It felt unreal.” Determined to try, Gabriel recorded a video telling his story and posted it online, asking people to help share it. Since then, he has spent his days sending the campaign to journalists, fan pages, influencers, and anyone who might help amplify his message.
“It became part of my routine,” he says. “Every day I wake up hoping maybe this will be the day the video reaches her.”
For Gabriel, the campaign is about much more than meeting a celebrity. “I just want the chance to thank her,” he says. “Her music was there for me during some of the hardest moments of my life. When I felt alone, her voice felt like comfort.”
The support he has received from people in Mirandópolis and online has surprised him. “Some people didn’t understand it at first, but once I explained what this means to me, they embraced it,” he says. “I’ve received messages and encouragement from people I never expected.”
His family has also been by his side since the beginning. “My parents believed in me from day one,” Gabriel says. “That means everything.”
If the meeting ever happens, he already knows what he wants to do. “I’d probably cry before I could even speak,” he jokes. “But I’d love to give her a letter and thank her for everything.”
Even if the dream doesn’t come true this time, Gabriel says he refuses to give up.
“If it doesn’t happen now, that’s okay,” he says. “As long as there’s hope, I’ll keep trying.”
Editorial published in the 322nd edition of AGORA na Região newspaper — October 25, 2025:
Dreams That Inspire: Gabriel’s Story and the Power of Admiration
Dreams are often the most human part of us. They keep us moving, give meaning to difficult days, and remind us that hope still exists even when life feels uncertain. Gabriel Leite’s story is a beautiful example of that.
The young man from Mirandópolis started an online campaign hoping to meet Ariana Grande during her upcoming visit to Brazil. To some people, it may sound like a simple fan dream. But behind it, there is something much deeper.
For Gabriel, Ariana’s music was never just entertainment. Through her songs, he found comfort, inspiration, and even motivation to learn English and express himself more openly. What began as admiration slowly became part of his personal growth. That is why dreams should never be judged from the outside.
Sometimes, what may seem “small” or “impossible” to one person can represent strength, healing, and hope to someone else. Behind every dream, there is usually a story people do not see. Gabriel’s campaign is not really about fame or attention. It is about gratitude. About wanting to look someone in the eyes and say: “Your art helped me keep going.”
In a world that moves too fast and constantly demands practical results, stories like Gabriel’s remind us of something important: dreaming still matters. Because dreaming is not childish. Dreaming is what keeps people alive inside.
