Wicked’s Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey: The Pizza Interview | NYT Cooking

Wicked’s Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey: The Pizza Interview | NYT Cooking

“What did you say?” “O.K., now we play. Ari, what happened?” “What did I do?” [MUSIC PLAYING] “We should wash
our hands first.” “Oh, very good. Yeah.” [LAUGHS] “I love what you’ve
done with the space.” “Oh thank you
We did it this morning.” “I have made a pizza before
because my family is Italian. And my mom has a big pizza
oven, so I’ve made a few.” “Are you a bit of a master? Are you a dough tosser?” “Well, I didn’t say that. I said — are you
a dough tosser?” “Yeah, I am a dough tosser. I’ve been since a
very young age.” “We have some vegan
accoutrement and some non-vegan.” “Some dairy and meaty options
as well from my side.” “All of the bases are covered. This is just an incredible
setup that we’ve got here, thank you to ‘The
New York Times.’” “Yeah, I love to cook. I just don’t do it often. When I am cooking, it’s
usually a sign that there’s friends coming around.” “I love to just roast a whole
bunch of vegetables and play it by ear. Hi.” “Hello.” “This is Mr. Bailey.” “And this is Ms. Grande.” “We are here with ‘The New
York Times’ to make pizzas.” “What’s your favorite
pizza place?” “When I first moved to London
from Oxford, where I’m from, there was a pizza place
called Pappa Ciccia.” “Pappa Ciccia.” “And there was a pizza
called The Completer, which had every ingredient.” “The Completer?” “Yeah.” “Sounds intense.” “It was intense, but it really
got me through some quite exciting years.” “Wow. The Completer. That’s so scary.” “That’s what I thought
of immediately. Where’s your favorite pizza,
apart from the one you’re about to make?” “My family’s favorite Italian
restaurant in New York is La Masseria. In LA, I enjoy Crossroads
because it’s like a plant-based vegan place. And they make
beautiful pizzas. Yeah, what’s your
pizza game plan?” “I don’t know. I just have to not get really
excited by everything.” “I’m kind of simple, so I’m
going to have to try to go outside of my normal comfort
zone because there’s so many beautiful things to use. O.K., now we can
get into the dough.” [MUSIC PLAYING] “I don’t know if you’ve
seen this technique before.” “I have my own approach. And then you do a
little mini toss. It’s like, you go like that. You know what I mean?” “Yeah, I know exactly
what you mean.” “I think that’s enough for me. Wow.” “Oh, it’s gonna take over
trying to take that.” “No, this is great.
This is great.” “Get some bubbles in there.” “Yours has some
real elasticity. You want to keep the middle
kind of with thinness there. That’s where it all goes.” “Just so the pizza
knows its limits.” “Yeah, someone’s got to.” “Someone’s got to. You can do it.” “Yeah. Is this fresh basil
that I can use, or this for the set dressing?” “We suggest using it at the end
after the pizza comes out, so that –” “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Am I allowed to take
these over here? Also set dressing? Guys, this is also
set dressing.” “Should I do a little
stuffed crust?” “Stuffed crust? Is what you said?” “Yeah, I’m going
to stuff my crust.” “Oh, wow. Very forward.” “What’s your earliest or
fondest memory of food?” “My nonna’s cooking.” “Yeah, family cooking.” “Pasta.” “My nanny used to
make amazing roasts. And she lived about
a seven-minute walk. And we’d always go
around on a Sunday.” “Cute. Sunday roast.” “Yeah. The cornerstone of
the day was dinner. We would always have
breakfast and dinner together as a family. I didn’t realize that’s
kind of rare, I think.” “Yeah, we would do Sunday
dinners and play cards. My family would play
a game called May I. We still play it.” “Good healthy
family competition.” “Yeah.” “If you were to show each
other around your hometowns, where would you go eat?” “Well, my hometown,
I remember, got a Asian diner that
opened in the ‘90s. And that was supreme. They’d serve wine. So I’d probably
take you there. And we’d have crispy shredded
chili beef and a bottle of white wine.” “Where would I take you?” “Where would you take me?” “In Boca Raton — I don’t know. My house was always
the place to be because everyone was always
cooking and eating there. But the Town Center
Mall had some zingers. They have a place
called Stir Crazy. That was a big hit. We probably would
have gone there.” “What did your nonna make? What’s her signature?” “Her sauce was iconic. And the funniest thing was
the dynamic between my nonna and grandpa because even
though she had been good at cooking for 60 years, he
still didn’t trust that it was going to be right. He would always check,
and she’d be like, go the hell away. I know what I’m doing. And he’d be like, all
right, it’s perfect. It was funny. Mozzarella, anyone? The plant-based mozzarella. Time to bury myself in that. Jonny is doing the most
advanced pizza making I’ve ever — I didn’t think it was going
to be like this today. This is really incredible. So what’s your
plan from here?” “I think if I can just bring
out the edges like a sunrise.” “Yeah. That’s beautiful.” “Have you ever cooked
for each other?” “Do you remember? You played some
music, and I –” “Oh, my god. That’s right.” “It was really good. Yeah.” “That was so sweet.” “The first time I heard –” “’We Can’t be Friends.’” “Yes.” “Because I had
just written it. And I was so nervous about it. I was like, I think I
need to put out music. And I was like, will you
tell me what you think? I’m scared. You were so cute.” “I said, Ari, it’s a bop.” “No, it was really sweet.” “But what else? No, I listened
to three tracks.” “Really?” “Yeah. You played three.” “What the hell did I play? I remember I roasted
trumpet mushrooms. And we made chips. They were seasoned with
paprika and stuff.” “Yeah, it was delicious.” “Yeah. And I think there was a vegan
pesto involved as well.” “And we had a sushi spread
on top of that as well.” “Oh, yes. That’s right. And we ordered also
from Planta Queen. Does this look boring?” “No. I think it looks
well put together.” “It looks like a
Play-Doh pizza.” “Yeah, it does.” “Has anyone else from the
cast thrown a dinner party?” “Jon loves to host.” “It started with a
dinner for me with Jon. His mom was there. And she shouted down. She was like, if you
work with my son, it will be the best
thing in the world. And she was completely right. She was the one who
got me the part. We had a lovely meal
and a lovely long chat at the beginning of what
turned out to be –” “But no one else could –” “– extraordinary
couple of years.” “Could have ever been
Fiyero ever, so.” “Wait until you see my pizza.” “I’m kneading it like a cat
that got taken away from its mom at a young age.” “Yeah. Yeah, you really are.” “What, am I purring as well?” “Can we just make sure
it’s still slidable?” “Oh, yeah. Good point.” “A little. I’m getting a little
jiggle, but just a jiggle.” “Jiggle, jiggle. Oh, yours is brilliant. Look at that. Are you going to put
anything else on yours?” “I was just going
to address that. I should. And I will. But in real life,
this is where I stop. To me, this is about enough.” “Jonny, do you want to
explain what you’re doing?” “I’m experimenting. I just suddenly thought
if I sear the side, it will rise and
ooze like a pie.” “Ooh, wow. That’s genius. I really like
colorful tomatoes. I’m mixing in some
orange and yellows.” “I try and get to
Italy once a year. The thing is that with
pizza specifically, it’s obviously you can’t
beat the ingredients and the delicious flavors –” “– of a fresh Italian
authentic pizza.” “Yeah.” “It’s true. You really can’t. Sorry.” “Go on. O.K., go on. Ow.” “I’m sorry.” “Can I get some of
your artichokes.” “Please, come in. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, look at these
beautiful broccolinis. See, I’m inspired
by every ingredient. I just don’t have the point
of view that is required to be an artist at this level
of pizza artistry. I think I’m going to
put one in the middle.” “Do you think pineapple
belongs on pizza?” “Do I? No.” “I’m not saying
that you’re wrong. I’m just saying that I’ve
never even let my mind go there. And I know plenty of
Italians who like it as well. So it’s not like — I’m not really — I’m not judging, I promise. Do you like it?” “It’s a heinous crime.” “It really is.” “I’m going to put some
oyster mushrooms on mine just because I’m so
excited to see them.” “Problem is I can
focus on one thing, a conversation or a pizza.” “I feel like I’ve only been
able to hear half of what’s been said because
I’m doing something. Just so you know,
this is not me. I wouldn’t make this
pizza outside of this. But they’re such
a gorgeous –” “It’s telling a story of
the beginning of life.” “Oh, my god.” “The one sprout of
an original idea.” “Yeah, this is the life cycle. This is the human — this is birth.” “So many ways that works.” “Yeah, I call this pizza
‘Watching it Happen.’ Thank you.” “During filming
of these movies, was there ever a time you
guys couldn’t stop laughing?” “We actually had two moments. Is that O.K.?” “What are you thinking about?” “I’m thinking about two.” “Yeah. The worst?” “Which one are
you thinking of?” [WHISPERING] “Oh, there were three
times, actually.” “There was one that
was unbearable. They all had
different flavors.” “Well, yeah, but this one was
the worst because Michelle Yeoh had just
won her Oscar. We worked with her
two days later. And something about the
wedding scene was really hard for us.” “I think they were like, we’re
not going to show you, Ari, in her dress until –” “Until I’m walking
down the aisle. Yeah.” “Really building it up.” “Which they thought was
going to be really emotional and sweet. But it was only
funny because –” “Because of the train.” “Yes, because it was –” “It was like, if you
bumped into someone who was in the North Pole trying
to get just to final bit.” “Well, because Jon had told
me to please keep my train as still as possible because
they happen to be shooting. For some reason, Jonny
arrived when they were shooting the overhead. And you’re seeing the
big 25-foot wedding train and the veil and
whatever it was. There was a lot of roughage
and twigs on the floor, that my train kept
getting caught on. So Jon gave me this note
right before we went. And he was like,
hey, Ari, please just try to keep your head
as still as possible. And Jonny’s there. And –” “Taking the whole weight
of it on your neck. And Georgie was there. And you see her. She’s coming down. And there’s your
beautiful wife to be.” “Jonny.” “Completely locked in.” “And I’m shaking.” “Like cry — sobbing. You looked
absolutely stunning. There was just a lot of
effort that had to go in.” “There’s no way I didn’t look
like the most worried person in America. He was so far away,
that I couldn’t see him. And then as soon as
he came into focus, I see that he’s like
this, crying, laughing, trying to withhold his tears. And then by the time we got
to the altar and Michelle Yeoh –” “It was bad.” “– who, by the way, there’s
no way that Madame Morrible is ordained. But that’s O.K. But by the
time we got to the end, we were giggling.” “It was awful. And it was close up on her.” “On Michelle. You could see the tiny
tips of our noses. And they were shaking.” “Just going –” “And Jon, was like, you guys. And Michelle was also
so cool about it.” “Oh yeah.” “She was like,
yeah, it happens.” [MUSIC PLAYING] “I have salted my pizza. I have garnished my pizza
as much as I am comfortable going.” “I’ve eaten more. I’ve eaten more than I put.” “What do you have
so far, Jonny?” “I have a little
mushroom in the middle. What did you say?” [LAUGHS] “So far I have a pizza that
has sausage, artichoke, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic,
stuffed crust with cheese.” “One olive.” “There’s a whole lot
of hope, and optimism, and faith in there.” “Yeah. But this is my garden.” “It’s an urban garden.” “It’s got some sauce,
some fresh tomatoes, some oyster mushrooms,
two guys in the middle. And it has some
rosemary crust.” “It looks delicious.” “Yay. Oh, my god. You’re going still. There’s a lot that’s
changed since he described.” “I’m going to make this
an homage to The Completer pizza.” “Oh. Cute.” “I think.” “I love that yours is like a
tribute to home and mine is offensive to my family. Do you know what I mean?” “Yeah. Saying goodbye
to my heritage.” “Yeah. Nonna’s like, ‘What the hell is
that broccolini doing in the middle?’ My mom hates rosemary. I mean, this is a disaster.” “No. I think it’s good.” “Well, I like it. I should put one of these
flowers on here because it’s so beautiful. (SINGING) But it feels
like it’s going to ruin it But it’s so pretty And I can’t.” “Why don’t you just
put them around, so they can bake around it?” “Genius. That’s nice. Yeah.” “Baked beans. Is that a challenge?” “Jonny.” “That must have
been done before.” “You have to — this is — It’s done. I think it’s done.” “You know what? Marmite would be a
knockout on a pizza.” “Hold on.” “What?” “This is not logistically — no, because this doesn’t go — hold on.” “Oh. You knew this Scott.” “Who set me up to do that? Oh, we can make another pizza. Guys. Come on. How much time do we have? Do we have time for
a few more pizzas?” [MUSIC PLAYING] “O.K.” “This is us in the middle.” “What, a mushroom
and a broccoli?” “Yeah. That’s us. Ready? Top or bottom?” [LAUGHS] “I’m ready now. You’re on top.” “All right.” “Look at that. Perfect.” “Wow. O.K. O.K.” “O.K., start the clock.” “After you.” “O.K., now we play. Has it got a name?” “You can name it.” “Flubber.” “Flubber. Well, all right.” “Yeah? I know you’ve
lived a long life, but you’re just about to go
into a new little chapter.” “Yes. You’ve worked so hard. And you’ve been
through so much. And you deserve all of the
good that’s on the other side coming to you.” “Thrive. Be kind.” “Yes. Be kind. Be grateful. Stay close to your family. And –” “Keep on bubbling.” “Yeah, yeah, yeah. After you, sir. I don’t really trust
myself with this part. Did I mix it enough?” “We should we do a
secret wish and dream. That was one for you.” “Oh, my god. O.K. Perfect.” “Great.” “Did you make a wish, or
did you give it a message?” “I said, what’s your
favorite capital city?” “Perfect.” “Our parents.” “I’m going to put it — I’m gonna wear
it in a papoose.” “Is that good?” “Whoa. Ari, what happened?” “What did I do? Guys, what the hell
did I do wrong?” “I think that’s going
to settle, though. And it’s going to be
absolutely delicious.” “Oh, my god. You guys, I’ve never
seen anything like this.” “I’ll tell you what’s anchored
it, that bit of broccolini.” “You guys, I don’t
know what I’ve done. I don’t know what I’ve done.” “It’s what pizza does.” “That’s a really
generous thing to say. I’ve never seen
a pizza do this. It looks like it’s
from ‘Mars Attacks!’” “It’s like a jacket potato. Wow.” “That’s stunning, Jonny. Congratulations.” “Oh, you smell the garlic.” “Oh, wow. I forgot garlic.” “Yeah.” [MUSIC PLAYING] “Look at the cheese. It’s spilling out the sides.” “Yeah, it is. Oh, my gosh. That’s magnificent, Jonny. Mine is a full ass.” “How are you guys feeling?” “Ashamed.” “I think it’s like a Picasso. It’s sort of absurdist. It’s great.” “That’s so nice. Thank you.” “How do you feel
about yours, Jonny?” “Proud as hell. Shameless.” “It’s perfect. I mean, please. I didn’t mean that. Mine is beautiful. And I’m very proud
of it as well. Mommy’s very proud. You did your best.” “If you were a food
dish, what would you be? And can you answer
for each other?” “I think you’d be like
a whipped terrine.” “What’d you call me?” “Because it’s light
and delicious.” “I know what you are.” “A spotted dick.” “What?” “Is that a fish?” “No, it’s a
pudding, isn’t it?” “What is happening?” “That’s a British
thing, isn’t it?” “I don’t know what that is. You’ll have to show me.” “I’ll show you.” “If you were a dish, you
would be this beautiful little potato, fluffy thing. And it’s like, this
little cute cloud.” “Ooh, nice.” “And it’s beautiful. And it’s full of
light and airy. And that’s what you would be.” “I think they’d go
quite well together.” “Yeah.” “I reckon I’m probably
bubble and squeak. Is that another British thing? Bubble and squeak is
yesterday’s leftovers all thrown into one.” “I think I’d be a strawberry.” “Thank you for making
the best dough.” “Ever.” “I think this is
really what’s –” “It really is. Can we do one?” “Go on.” [MUSIC PLAYING] “I’m going to make a bunch
of slices because this looks beautiful.” “If only we had lots of
people here to feed.” “Yeah, who will
we share it with? Does anyone want to try mine?” “Cheers.” [MUSIC PLAYING] [LAUGHS] “They are good.” “Aren’t they?” “How’s your –” “I’ll tell you what, the
Marmite and the cheese is a winner.” “That’s really nice. That’s way more
flavorsome than mine.” “How is that possible?” “This has been really
calming and lovely.” “I don’t know if anything’s
usable, but we had a blast.” [OVERLAPPING SPEECH] [LAUGHS] “’Wicked, For Good,’
check it out.” “And go and see ‘Wicked.’” “Please. Please, God. We’re so sorry.” “I got used to it.” [LAUGHS]

Welcome back to The Pizza Interview, a series from The New York Times Cooking where the Q&A has a catch: Our guests have to make pizza while in the hot seat.

Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, stars of Jon M. Chu’s film, “Wicked: For Good,” visited The New York Times Cooking studio to make pizzas. Sounds easy enough, but what happens when co-stars try to work together in the kitchen? Watch to find out.

And if you want to make your own pizza at home, we’ve got you covered: https://nyti.ms/4jRe9LK

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