Ariana Grande, Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro Sing “O Christmas Tree” on Fallon
Ariana Grande, Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro sang "O Christmas Tree" on NBC's Tonight Show on November 8, 2026. It was Grande's first TV interview in months, and it kicks off promotion for Focker-in-Law, which opens in theaters on November 25.
Ariana Grande, Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro sang "O Christmas Tree" together on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Sunday, November 8, 2026. The trio appeared as a Christmas caroling act as host Jimmy Fallon marked the arrival of the 2026 Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
The special episode began at 11:35 p.m. ET, after the Buccaneers vs. Bears game on NBC. Fans can watch the preview clip of the carol online.
Grande takes the high notes
Grande led the vocals, and the studio audience applauded when she hit the high notes. Stiller gave what the clip's debut coverage called a valiant effort on his part of the song. De Niro's contribution is best seen in the clip itself.
All three chatted with Fallon through the episode. Lil Baby was the musical guest.
A first TV interview in months
The appearance marks the start of promotion for Focker-in-Law, the fourth film in the Meet the Parents series, which opens in theaters on November 25. Grande plays Olivia Jones, girlfriend of Henry Focker, the grown-up son of Greg and Pam Focker.
It was Grande's first TV interview in many months. She stepped back from public life after her Eternal Sunshine tour ended in early September. Her last full TV turn was hosting Saturday Night Live in December 2025, apart from brief appearances at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards in January.
Asked about joining the cast, she told Fallon: "I was so honored to be asked." She said she fell in love with the script from writer and director John Hamburg. "So it was very surreal. It was very surreal."
Grande said she first met De Niro 11 years ago on Fallon's show. "We took a selfie backstage… I was so excited," she said. She had worked with Stiller before, on a brief cameo in Zoolander 2, and said that gave them an instant "comfortability." Stiller agreed: "A connection."
Why she stepped back
A representative announced the break on August 2, saying Grande would take a step back from public-facing work after the tour to end it healthily and happily. The same day, it was announced that she had withdrawn from the London revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George.
Grande addressed fans from the stage in Chicago on August 3. "It's something that I have decided," she said, calling it a plan she had made quietly a long time ago.
More Tonight Show specials
The November 8 show is the second of four special Tonight Show episodes airing after NBC's Sunday Night Football this season. The first aired September 27, with Sylvester Stallone and Luke Bryan as guests.
The next is on Sunday, November 15, with Jennifer Lopez and Anthony Mackie, plus a musical performance from Quavo. A fourth is slated for January 10, with guests to be announced.
