Playing Glinda the Good in the Wicked movies has been a lifelong dream for Ariana Grande, a devoted fan of the Broadway musical since she was young.
But stepping into the role turned out to mean something far more profound for the 32-year-old pop star.
grande said the movies helped reset her creative compass.
“This project realy healed my relationship to creating. It rewired me from the inside out.
“I fell back in love with creating in a way I hadn’t felt in a long time, or maybe didn’t feel safe to for some time,” Grande shared at a virtual interview early this month.
“for a long time my celebrity (status) may have been louder than my work or my craft,” the diminutive star added.
One of the highlights of the movie for Grande was the opportunity to sing an original song, The Girl In The Bubble, written especially for Glinda by the original wicked composer Stephen Schwartz.
“It was daunting, rewarding, exciting adn terrifying all at once. To originate a Stephen Schwartz song is the honor of a lifetime,” she exclaimed.
Grande said the song was pivotal to the movie as it adds another layer to Glinda.
“The song is such a gift to Glinda’s narrative – this intricate musical moment where the audience gets to watch her become brave by letting herself be vulnerable.
“You see her examine who she is, what she’s done, and how far things have gone, and then make the choice to truly become good,” Grande explained.
Fractured bond
Wicked: For Good picks up five years after the events of the first movie.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), now known as the Wicked Witch of the West, has been ostracised and lives in exile.
meanwhile, Glinda – sans magic, though no one needs to know – is the toast of Emerald City. Popular and glamorous, she’s set to be married to Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey).
but trouble brews.
fuelled by Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh), angry protesters (including Dorothy from Kansas!) are out for blood, demanding Elphaba’s head.
as tensions rise, the question looms: can elphaba and her former bestie Glinda repair their fractured bond and expose the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum) as the fraud he is?
Like the first movie, which raked in US$759mil (RM3.1bil) worldwide – and earned 10 Oscar nominations,winning two,Wicked: For Good is also directed by Jon M. Chu, who Grande feels was born to bring the Broadway musical to the big screen.
“I truly believe it was his destiny to direct these films. He has such a deep, empathetic understanding of the human experience.
“Beyond being a brilliant storyteller,his heart is what makes him who he is,” Grande said of Chu who also helmed the hit rom-com Crazy Rich Asians.
Grande – who was nominated for an Oscar in the
Ariana Grande on ‘Wicked’ Chemistry, Rekindled Acting Passion, and What’s Next
Ariana Grande’s return to acting in the film adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked has not only captivated audiences but also reignited her passion for the craft. The first installment of Wicked, released in November 2024, showcased a new side of the pop superstar, and the upcoming Wicked: Part Two promises to further demonstrate her acting range.
Grande,who stars as Glinda alongside Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba,spoke about the intense emotional readiness required for a pivotal scene in the film. She revealed that a deeply personal moment informed her performance, stating, “There was a moment that was so…intense, and I had to really tap into something real, and it ended up going into the movie.”
The on-screen chemistry between grande and Erivo has become a major talking point, fueled by their evident friendship off-camera. Social media is filled with memes celebrating their bond,leading some to question its authenticity.
“Why would (people) even ask that? Why?” Grande playfully responded at a Screen Actors Guild screening in Hollywood on November 16, as reported by The Star. She went on to describe Erivo as “a lifelong sister” and their partnership as “an absolutely the greatest gift of my life.”
From Nickelodeon to the Big Screen
Before achieving global pop stardom,Grande began her career in television,starring in the Nickelodeon shows Victorious and Sam & Cat. These roles established her as a teen idol and paved the way for a triumphant music career, resulting in seven albums featuring hits like “Problem,” “Break Free,” “Thank U, Next,” and “Into You.” She has also earned two Grammy Awards throughout her music career. https://www.grammy.com/artists/ariana-grande
However, her involvement with the Wicked films has rekindled her love for acting. “I really missed acting,” Grande explained.”It’s a craft I love and still have so much to learn. These films reawakened something in me.”
Future Projects
Grande’s return to acting doesn’t stop with Wicked. She is set to appear in Meet the parents 4, alongside Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro. https://deadline.com/2024/05/ariana-grande-meet-the-parents-4-ben-stiller-robert-de-niro-1235886419/ She will also be returning to television after a decade-long hiatus with a role in the next installment of American Horror Story. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ariana-grande-american-horror-story-season-13-1235561999/
“I’m thankful for the chance. I’m excited for everyone to see what’s next,” she said enthusiastically.
Wicked: Part One is currently playing in cinemas,and the first Wicked film is available to stream on HBO Max. https://www.hbo.com/movies/wicked
Worth a look