ARIANA GRANDE RETURNS TO TV ON JIMMY FALLON WITH BEN STILLER & ROBERT DE NIRO — "O CHRISTMAS TREE" FOR FOCKER-IN-LAW

Ariana Grande made a surprise appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sunday, November 8, 2026 — her first television appearance since announcing a break from the public eye (on an indefinite career hiatus since September 2026). She crashed host Jimmy Fallon's opening monologue alongside her "Focker-in-Law" co-stars Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, and the trio sang the Christmas classic "O Christmas Tree" together. Fallon had just mentioned the arrival of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

De Niro's closing vocal was dubbed, lip-synced to an operatic voice, as the joke payoff. Grande led the vocals, and Stiller sang his part. Grande also debuted a new short bob haircut on the show.

Image: Ariana Grande with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro on The Tonight Show (NBC / The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon).

The Tonight Show Moment

Grande walked into the monologue unannounced, joining Fallon at his desk as Stiller and De Niro followed her out. The three then launched into "O Christmas Tree," turning a mention of the Rockefeller Center tree into a full musical moment. The bit landed its biggest laugh at the end, when De Niro's closing vocal gave way to a soaring operatic voice. Grande stayed on for more of the show, joining Fallon for a comedy sketch titled "My Family's Money" and taking part in the "True Confessions" game. Lil Baby was the episode's musical guest.

Focker-in-Law

The appearance doubled as promotion for Focker-in-Law, the fourth film in the "Meet the Parents" franchise, written and directed by John Hamburg and in theaters November 25, 2026. Grande plays Olivia Jones, the girlfriend of Henry, played by Skyler Gisondo, the grown-up son of Greg and Pam Focker, played by Stiller and Teri Polo. De Niro returns as Jack Byrnes. Grande also played unreleased songs for her Focker-in-Law co-stars. Fans of Grande's film work can also look ahead to Wicked: For Good.

Watch the Official Video

Watch the show's official sneak-peek clip of the monologue crash below.

The clip, titled "Sneak Peek: Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller & Ariana Grande Crash Jimmy's Monologue on The Tonight Show," comes from the channel The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Ariana Grande appear on Jimmy Fallon?

Grande appeared on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sunday, November 8, 2026, crashing the opening monologue with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro.

What song did Ariana Grande sing with Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro?

The trio sang the Christmas classic "O Christmas Tree" together, after Fallon mentioned the arrival of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

Why was the appearance notable?

It was Grande's first television appearance since she announced a break from the public eye and an indefinite career hiatus in September 2026, and she debuted a new short bob haircut on the show.

When does Focker-in-Law come out?

"Focker-in-Law" arrives in theaters on November 25, 2026, with Grande playing Olivia Jones alongside Stiller, De Niro, Teri Polo and Skyler Gisondo.