Liz Gillies Explains How She and BFF Ariana Grande Remain So Close: 'We Make a Real Effort' (Exclusive)

Ariana Grande and Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies.Photo:arianagrande/Instagram arianagrande/Instagram Friendship is synonymous withElizabeth “Liz” GilliesandAriana Grande. The talented pair met as young teenagers, made their Broadway debuts alongside one another in13: The Musicaland costarred on Nickelodeon’sVictorious. They’ve remained best friends ever since and continuously supported each other’s projects, so it should come as no surprise Gillies “couldn’t be prouder” of Grande’s starring role as Galinda/Glinda in the upcomingWickedfilm. “I know how much this project means to her.

Liz Gillies Says Her Music Career Faced 'Endless False Starts.' How She's 'Opened the Floodgates' (Exclusive)

Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies in September 2024.Photo:John Lamparski/Getty John Lamparski/Getty Fans ofElizabeth “Liz” Gillieshave waited a long time for music from the multi-talented performer. Now, she’s ready to share it. About a decade since the last time Gillies, 31, held a true solo performance, she’s gearing up to do a series ofshows at Café Carlyle in New York City from Nov. 6-9,ushering in a new musical era for theDynastystar, who’s looked forward to this moment for a while.

Liz Gillies Shares the 'Key' to Her and Michael Corcoran's Marriage: 'I Wouldn't Trade It for Anything' (Exclusive)

Elizabeth “Liz” Gillies in September 2024; Michael Corcoran in May 2012.Photo:Gotham/WireImage, Randall Michelson/WireImage Gotham/WireImage, Randall Michelson/WireImage Life is good forElizabeth “Liz” Gilliesand her husband,Michael Corcoran.As the actress and singer, 31, dives deeper into solo musicianship with new releases and live performances, she has a supportive partner in Corcoran, 51, a “supremely talented musician” whom she’s worked with in the past — though not exactly as much as she once expected.“When we first started dating, I was like, ‘Oh, we’re going to be like James Taylor and Carly Simon,'” Gillies, who married Corcoran in August 2020.

Liz Raftery

Title:Former ContributorEducation:Emerson College Title:Former Contributor Education:Emerson College Liz Raftery is a former contributor at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2012.She joined PEOPLE in 2011.Before joining PEOPLE, Liz was a senior editor for blastmagazine.com from 2006 to 2011, copyeditor at patch.com from 2010 to 2011, reporter for The Press Enterprise from 2006 to 2007 and metro desk co-op for The Boston Globe in 2006. Liz Raftery is a former contributor at PEOPLE.

Liza Minnelli Got Tinnitus After Dad 'Screamed So Loud in My Ear' When She Won Her Oscar: It 'Never Went Away'

From Left: Vincente Minnelli and Liza Minnelli on March 27, 1973.Photo:Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Liza Minnellihad lasting side effects from the pure excitement her father, Vincente Minnelli, displayed when she won an Oscar. EGOT winner Liza reflected on winning an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1973 forCabaret.The category that year also included Diana Ross (Lady Sings the Blues), Maggie Smith (Travels with My Aunt), Cicely Tyson (Sounder) and Liv Ullmann (The Emigrants).