Just days after the exciting news broke that Ariana Grande has officially joined the cast of Meet the Parents 4, renowned actor and co-star Robert De Niro confirmed this thrilling collaboration. He revealed that he’ll be sharing the screen with the talented singer and Oscar-nominated star of Wicked. This casting decision is sure to elevate the film’s appeal among both fans of comedy and musical theater alike, showcasing the diverse talents of these two iconic figures in the entertainment industry.

On the evening of Monday, June 9, during a captivating episode of the Tonight Show, the legendary Robert De Niro, age 81, took part in a lie detector test where he confirmed the rumors surrounding Ariana Grande‘s casting in Meet the Parents 4 by stating, “that’s true.” When host Jimmy Fallon inquired whether he was familiar with Grande, De Niro admitted he did not know her well but reminisced about their brief encounter approximately seven or eight years prior. During that time, he had visited the set of Saturday Night Live with one of his children, who was eager to meet the pop sensation.

“I didn’t collaborate with her, but she was featured on the same episode,” De Niro recalled fondly. “We had a conversation, and I introduced her to my child, who was excited to meet her.” At the moment, there is still speculation about the exact role that Ariana Grande, who is now 31, will portray in this highly anticipated series. The storyline revolves around a taciturn retired CIA agent, played by De Niro, who grapples with his bumbling and inept nurse son-in-law, portrayed by Ben Stiller. However, The Hollywood Reporter has indicated that Grande will embody a “ball-busting” woman engaged to marry the now-adult son of Stiller and co-star Teri Polo, who played Pam Focker.

The cast members have been actively promoting this exciting latest installment of the Meet the Parents franchise. De Niro, Stiller, Polo, and director Jay Roach recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of the original Meet the Parents during a special appearance at the Tribeca Festival. During a Q&A session at the festival, Stiller, who is 59 years old, praised Grande as “so talented… so great with comedy.” Although he refrained from revealing too much about her character, he did mention that her role is “really, really funny and acts as the engine of the whole movie.” This hints at Grande’s significant contribution to the film’s comedic elements.

When the interviewer humorously suggested that with Grande’s presence, the fourth installment should naturally incorporate musical elements, De Niro responded with a witty remark, saying, “half the scenes that I have with her will be singing scenes.” The fourth film will be directed by John Hamburg, who co-wrote the previous three movies, and this new installment serves as a follow-up to Meet the Fockers (2004) and Little Fockers (2010).

Ariana Grande initially gained fame through her roles in the Nickelodeon series Victorious and iCarly before blossoming into a pop sensation. She has also received prestigious nominations for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Glinda in the first installment of the film adaptation of Wicked. This upcoming role marks Grande’s first new film appearance following her acclaimed performance in Wicked, with the sequel, Wicked: For Good, set to be released on November 21.

Don’t miss the chance to watch De Niro discuss Ariana Grande on the Tonight Show in the clip below.