New York: Ariana Grande was nearly part of American Horror Story: 13, but her touring schedule ultimately prevented the planned appearance from happening. Ryan Murphy has now revealed that Grande was set to reprise one of her most recognizable horror-comedy roles as part of a potential Scream Queens crossover.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the Season 13 premiere, Murphy explained that the scheduling conflict arose because Grande was on tour when the production needed her.
The revelation also comes with a possible silver lining for fans: Murphy said he has not given up on bringing the Scream Queens cast together again.
Ariana Grande Was Set to Return as Chanel #2
Grande’s planned American Horror Story appearance would have connected two of Ryan Murphy’s television franchises.
The singer and actor was expected to return as Sonya Herfmann, better known as Chanel #2, the character she played in the first season of Scream Queens.
Grande appeared in the inaugural season of the Fox horror-comedy before her character was killed off. Her return in AHS: 13 would therefore have marked a crossover between the two shows rather than a completely new role for the performer.
Murphy explained that Grande was interested in participating, but her concert commitments made the production schedule impossible.
“It was funny because at one point I was going to have the Scream Queens come on to this season, but Ariana was touring, and I couldn’t make it work,”
Murphy said.
According to the filmmaker, Grande had also made it clear that she wanted to do the project but could not participate while she was on tour.
Touring Schedule Forced the Crossover to Be Postponed
The timing of the production ultimately became the deciding factor.
Murphy said Grande had warned him that arranging the appearance would be difficult because of her touring commitments. The specific weekend required for filming eventually coincided with her tour.
Rather than treating the idea as permanently cancelled, Murphy said he told Grande he would “bump it down the road.”
He also made his continued interest clear, saying:
“So I haven’t given up. I love her.”
That leaves the possibility of a future Scream Queens appearance in the American Horror Story universe, although no new crossover has been announced.
Ryan Murphy Wants a Scream Queens Reunion
Grande was not the only former Scream Queens star Murphy hoped to bring back.
The creator said Emma Roberts, Billie Lourd and Lea Michele are interested in returning, while also mentioning Glen Powell, whom Murphy described as his favourite.
The comments suggest that the idea of a broader Scream Queens reunion remains alive, even though the planned AHS: 13 crossover could not be completed.
Roberts and Lourd have particularly strong connections to Murphy’s horror television universe. Both actresses have also appeared in multiple seasons of American Horror Story.
Scream Queens Could Still Return
Scream Queens, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, premiered on Fox in 2015 and ran for two seasons.
The series combined slasher mysteries with comedy, satire and deliberately exaggerated characters. Grande’s Chanel #2 was part of the show’s first-season ensemble.
The series concluded in 2016, meaning a future reunion would bring its characters back roughly a decade after the original show’s run.
Murphy’s latest comments do not confirm a revival or a new season. However, his statement that he has not abandoned the crossover idea keeps open the possibility of seeing some of the show’s familiar faces together again.
American Horror Story: 13 Arrives on FX and Hulu
Meanwhile, American Horror Story: 13 is scheduled to premiere on September 24, 2026, on FX and Hulu.
The new season features several returning AHS performers, continuing the anthology’s tradition of bringing familiar actors back in different roles and storylines.
While Ariana Grande will not be appearing as Chanel #2 in the new season, Murphy’s revelation provides fans with a look at what could have been a major crossover moment.
For now, Grande’s planned AHS: 13 role remains unrealized. But with Murphy still expressing interest in the idea, the door to a future Scream Queens reunion has not been closed.
