The news that Ariana Grande was chosen to play Glinda in Wicked caused some debate, and Grande has frequently addressed the topic herself. Now, with a 2025 Oscar nomination for her musical role, the discussion about how she approached auditioning for Glinda is resurfacing. This time, Grande is offering more detailed insights into her own personal motivations, as well as explaining why people may not have initially understood her reasoning.
Discussing her part in the play “Wicked” and her professional journey thus far, Grande candidly shared her experiences balancing acting and music. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, she delved into her motivations for immersing herself in a character like Glinda and trying out for this musical, expressing:
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Grande opened up about her role in “Wicked” and her career trajectory so far during an interview with THR. She elaborated on why she yearned to become one with the character of Glinda and sought to audition for this musical, revealing:
At some point, you grow weary of the pop star persona, as it’s not truly you; instead, aspects of your life and experiences are reflected in your songwriting. However, due to its widespread popularity and sensationalization, it can seem to drift away from your control. Beneath the glitz and glamour lies a girl from Boca Raton who cherishes art, and perhaps that’s why immersing yourself in this character has been so therapeutic – swapping one mask for another.
During the interview, it’s emphasized that Grande was determined to land the role of Glinda. Interestingly, she auditioned on three separate occasions before finally securing the part, even though she was already recognized as a popular music star. She truly had to demonstrate her suitability for the role.
For the second audition, Director Jon M. Chu and producer Marc Platt requested Ariana Grande to strip away all her glamorous pop star persona and showcase her most authentic, exposed self. Despite people not fully grasping the effort she was investing, Grande didn’t let it bother her.
People who didn’t comprehend might respond with, “That’s just foolish, they recognize your talent,” but I replied, “That’s sweet, yet Glinda demands so much from me. I want to earn it and have it only if I deserve it.” It transformed into a profound journey of discovering myself deeper down. I felt, “Wow, I adore this person hidden beneath the drag.
Apart from auditioning on four different occasions, Grande also had to perform four renowned songs from the musical “Wicked”. This dedication, in my view, highlights a thoughtful approach by the casting team that not everyone was aware of. Before the movie’s premiere, there were speculations suggesting that Ariana Grande was chosen for her fame alone, and the whispers about the salary discrepancy between her and co-star Cynthia Erivo, who played the lead role, may have fueled these assumptions.
In this interview, as well as in others before, it’s been highlighted that for Grande, landing the role of Glinda has long been a dream. Kristin Chenoweth also expressed her satisfaction with the casting decision, noting that Grande’s enthusiasm for the musical Wicked was a key factor.
Broadly speaking, numerous reviewers have been praising the musical Wicked, particularly the selection of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in their roles. Given that they’ve both earned Oscar nominations, it seems clear that this was an excellent choice for the production.
Throughout the film, Grande truly dazzled as Glinda. Initially, I had some reservations about her casting, but upon reflection, I must acknowledge that she breathed an extraordinary, award-worthy vitality into Glinda. Frankly, she was my most captivating choice to watch on screen, and in certain scenes, her performance completely outshone the rest.
Essentially, I’m eager for Ariana Grande’s dedication and personal touch in the musical “Wicked” to be acknowledged. It’s evident that this project holds deep significance for her, and it’s only fair that such passion is recognized and appreciated.
Beyond the prizes and honors, the second part of “Wicked,” titled “Wicked: For Good,” is drawing near and should be available by the end of 2025. Therefore, prepare yourself to witness more of Grande as Glinda when her immaculately pink character graces the big screen once again.
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2025-03-02 19:09