Ariane Grande Knows Why Fans Were Concerned About Her Glinda Casting

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As a seasoned movie critic who’s been around the block more times than I care to remember, I’ve seen my fair share of casting debates and naysayers. But when it comes to Ariana Grande stepping into the iconic role of Glinda in the highly-anticipated Wicked film adaptation, I have to say, I’m all for it!

Ariana Grande acknowledges the skepticism that’s been raised about her casting in the upcoming film version of “Wicked”. She will portray Glinda, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. While it might seem surprising for some to question Grande getting this role, given her impressive vocal skills, there have been some doubters who question whether she can fully embody the character. And indeed, Grande understands these concerns. In a recent interview on the “Sentimental Men” podcast, she opened up about the most daunting aspect of tackling such an iconic role in the Universal musical, and it boils down to those doubts: she wants to prove herself worthy.

Grande admitted to experiencing some early apprehension and uncertainties, like questioning her abilities or reasons for possibly being incorrect, at the start.

Acknowledging that certain followers of the Tony Award-winning musical might be familiar with her solely through her popular tunes, she expanded on this by saying:

Based on ‘Side to Side,’ I would have expressed similar feelings. If I were a fan, knowing only ‘7 Rings,’ I might have exclaimed, ‘What’s the point? Just end it for me. I’ve waited 20 years for this. End it for me.’ From the outside, I might say, ‘That’s just not right.’ So, in essence, I understand your sentiment.

Ariana Grande’s musical journey commenced on Broadway, where she played a role in the musical “13” at the age of 15 back in 2008. Later, she made appearances on Nickelodeon shows like “Victorious” and its spin-off “Sam & Cat.” In the same year, her debut album, “Yours Truly,” was released. Since then, six more albums including this year’s “Eternal Sunshine” have been added to her discography, continually expanding her global fame as a prominent figure in the music industry.

Ariana Grande on Landing the Role of Glinda: ‘It Has to Be Earned… Period’

Grande has been vocal about her love for the Wizard of Oz for years. When she was just 10, she met Kristen Chenoweth (who starred as Glinda) backstage after a Broadway performance of the musical. She began auditioning for the role of the iconic Good Witch when she was 20 (she’s now 31). While speaking with Sentimental Men podcast hosts Quincy Born and Kevin Bianchi, Grande called starring in Wicked a “once in a lifetime opportunity,” and discussed having to earn the role.

Often, folks ask me, ‘Didn’t you need to try out for it?’ Frankly, that seems absurd! It’s not just another role; it’s ‘Wicked’! This demands a unique set of talents that I haven’t showcased before. To be honest, it’s the ultimate compliment! Earning the chance to play this iconic character… well, that’s something to be truly respected.

The movie titled “Wicked” is set to debut in two segments, with Part 1 hitting cinemas on November 22. There’s a strong anticipation that it will dominate the box office, potentially boasting one of the biggest opening weekends in 2024. Jon M. Chu is responsible for its direction.

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2024-11-04 03:33