AceShowbiz - Ariana Grande was not afraid of poking fun at herself. When accepting the Rising Star Award for her role in "Wicked" at the Palm Springs Film Festival, she showed her humorous side during acceptance speech.

In one of the most memorable moments of the event, the actress accepted her trophy from Jennifer Coolidge. Dressed in a chic satin white dress, the 31-year-old singer expressed her gratitude not only with genuine emotion but also with her wicked sense of humor that left the audience in stitches.

"Thank you, guys, so much," began Grande, who jokingly credited "Botox and Juvederm" for her ageless appearance. Continuing with her playful tone, she quipped, "I've been performing since I was a child, so I never thought at the age of 31 I would be hearing the words 'rising star' again. I thought I'd be hearing 'slightly withering star' or 'drooping star' by now, so thank you."

Grande, who has a history of performing impressions of Coolidge, praised "The White Lotus" actress as a "comedic genius whose brilliance has inspired my entire life." She further acknowledged Jon M. Chu, the director of "Wicked," calling him her "fearless leader," and co-star Cynthia Erivo, whom she referred to as her "brilliant sister."

Reflecting on her journey, Grande described the opportunity to play Glinda the Good in "Wicked" as the "honor of my life," adding, "it felt like a homecoming."

She traced her comedic roots back to Boca Raton, Florida, where her first professional gig at the age of four was performing stand-up comedy for her grandparents for five dollars. "I learned early on that laughter was one of our greatest escapes," she shared, highlighting how the infectious nature of comedy profoundly impacted her life and career.

Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi had high praise for Grande's achievement, noting, "Ariana Grande is an iconic global performer, who has seamlessly transitioned to film in her first major starring role, proving herself to be a multifaceted and undeniable talent. This role is certain to be the beginning of the many accolades she will garner throughout her acting career."

With nominations from the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards already in hand for her portrayal of Glinda in "Wicked," and her seventh studio album "Eternal Sunshine" also getting Grammy nods, Grande's career is indeed entering a new and exciting chapter. As she so eloquently put it, "it really does feel like the beginning of a new chapter."