Ryan Murphy revealed that Ariana Grande was slated to reprise her role as Chanel #2 in the American Horror Story Season 13 crossover. However, the singer's touring schedule prevented her from joining the massive ensemble for the series' September 24 premiere on FX and Hulu.
The touring schedule that blocked Ariana Grande's Chanel #2 return
Ariana Grande was originally intended to appear in the latest installment of American Horror Story as Sonya Herfmann, also known as Chanel #2. This character was a staple of the Scream Queens series, where she served as a minion to Chanel Oberlin. According to Ryan Murphy, the plan to bring the character into the new season was a major component of the current crossover event.
Despite the creative intention, professional obligations elsewhere made the appearance impossible. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Grande's touring commitments meant she could not participate in the Season 13 launch. Murphy noted that while the singer expressed a strong desire to participate, the logistical reality of her schedule forced the production to move forward without her.
The 15-year plan to unite American Horror Story and Scream Queens
The current season of American Horror Story represents a massive undertaking for creator Ryan Murphy, described as an epic crossover 15 years in the making. The series aims to unite various iconic characters and stars from previous seasons to battle a central supernatural evil. This ambitious narrative structure attempts to bridge the gap between Murphy's most successful horror properties.
This move fololws a long history of anthology storytelling within the franchise, which has previously explored settings such as 1960s asylums, witch covens, and haunted Los Angeles mansions. By attempting to integrate elements of Scream Queens—which originally aired on Fox—into the current FX and Hulu production, Murphy is attempting to consolidate his horror universe into a single, cohesive mythology.
Emma Roberts and the Scream Queens alumni seeking a return
While Grande was unable to join the cast, other members of the Scream Queens ensemble have signaled their readiness to return to the screen. At the New York City premiere for American Horror Story Season 13, Murphy mentioned that Emma Roberts, who played the lead Chanel Oberlin, is highly interested in participating in future crossover iterations. The interest is not limited to Roberts; Murphy noted that Billie Lourd, Lea Michele, and Glen Powell have also expressed a desire to return to these roles.
The potential for a larger reunion includes a wide array of talent from the original series, such as Keke Palmer, Abigail Breslin, and Niecy Nash. This collective enthusiasm suggests that even if the Season 13 crossover was incomplete, the groundwork for a larger Scream Queens revival or a storyline set back at the fictional Wallace University remains a possibility for the franchise.
The pending FX renewal and the fate of Season 14
The long-term trajectory of Ryan Murphy's television empire remains subject to network approval. Although the Season 13 premiree has arrived, FX has yet to issue an official renewal for American Horror Story Season 14. This leaves the ultimate completion of the planned crossover in a state of uncertainty, as fans wait to see if the series will continue to expand its interconnected universe.
Beyond the horror franchise, the future of other Murphy-led projects like Glee also remains speculative. While the creator has expressed interest in reviving his mid-2010s hits, the actual realization of these projects depends on upcoming decisions from FX. For now, the possibility of a full-scale Scream Queens Season 3 or a completed crossover remains a high-stakes gamble for the network.
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