As a film enthusiast with a penchant for musicals and a deep appreciation for artists who can seamlessly blend music and acting, I couldn’t help but feel thrilled when I heard about Ariana Grande’s role in the highly anticipated adaptation of Wicked. Having followed her career closely, I’ve witnessed her incredible vocal range and charisma that perfectly align with the world of Broadway.
As a devoted fan, when the opportunity arose for me to audition for Jon M. Chu’s movie adaptation of Wicked, I had a clear notion about the role I might embody, but unexpectedly, I chose songs associated with Elphaba for my tryout. Known for my hit single “One Last Time“, I felt drawn to portray Glinda the Good Witch of the North instead, and it was all about aligning my aspirations with those of Mr. Chu.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Ariana Grande initially tried out for the role of Elphaba in “Wicked” by preparing several songs that Elphaba sings in the Broadway production. However, director Lin-Manuel Miranda had not considered her for the part of Elphaba and believed she was auditioning for Glinda. The casting director, on the other hand, thought Grande might be aiming for the role of Elphaba. Miranda expressed his confusion by saying, “We were getting mixed signals… I thought she was coming in for Glinda, but it turned out that she had prepared for Elphaba.” The casting team responded, “She prepped it,” meaning that Grande had indeed prepared songs for the role of Elphaba.
Likely due to politeness, Chu allowed Grande to sing the Elphaba songs she had prepared for her audition, but it became apparent to both parties that neither wanted her for Elphaba and believed she was better suited for Glinda. Chu expressed, “She was being kind to me, and I was being kind to her. We simply let her perform. However, in my mind, I thought, ‘Why is she singing Elphaba at this moment?’ Perhaps because she had sung those songs before, but to me, she always seemed like Glinda. We hadn’t known each other well enough yet to clarify things and say, ‘Hey, we’re here for Glinda, aren’t we?’
Ariana Grande Was Born to Play Glinda the Good Witch of the North
Ariana Grande holds a profound affection for Broadway, with a special attachment to the musical Wicked. She shares a strong bond with Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the original production, and has openly expressed that taking on the role of Glinda would be a dream come true. While Grande hasn’t confirmed it yet, there were hints she might have been interested in portraying Elphaba, as she performed “The Wizard and I” during NBC’s 15th anniversary celebration of the Broadway musical.
The singer shared her initial audition experience for the movie and disclosed that she had tried out for both roles. Chu’s feedback seems to reflect some confusion about which role Grande truly desired. The singer stated, “I felt deep down it would be Glinda, but I kept hearing different opinions from people who said, ‘They might want you to read for both.’ I figured they didn’t know my vocal abilities and thought perhaps I’d be a better fit for Elphaba. However, I instinctively knew that I was destined for Glinda.
Ultimately, the suitable actors landed their designated characters, with Erivo assuming Elphaba’s part and Grande securing her coveted role of Glinda. Preliminary reviews suggest that Grande is stealing the show in the movie, generating significant Oscar speculation before its debut this coming Friday. The artist has expressed a desire to pause her music career to concentrate more intensely on acting, and if the acclaim she’s receiving is any guide, she has a promising career as a credible actress ahead.
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2024-11-20 02:34