‘They Did Have Me Sing Four Songs:’ Ariana Grande Reflects On What It Was Like Auditioning For Wicked, And I Wonder What Might Have Been

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Ariana Grande has always been an ardent admirer of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” and she expressed this passion well before being chosen for the Jon M. Chu movie version. In fact, she had a conversation with Kristin Chenoweth, who initially played Glinda on stage, when she decided to try out for the role. Securing Chenoweth’s endorsement was straightforward, but competing for the part that ultimately led Ariana Grande to her first Oscar nomination proved to be quite challenging. In truth, the outcome could have been entirely different.

Recently, Grande had an intimate chat with multiple award-winning artist Billie Eilish at the theater of the Directors Guild of America, during a special screening and Q&A event exclusively for Academy and Guild members. As reported by Variety, the duo expressed their mutual admiration before delving into how the double Grammy winner secured her career-defining role.

From the very moment she found out the adaptation was a go, Grande felt deep within her that she should embody Glinda. Yet, the production team seemed uncertain about her fit for the role of the Good Witch, and it’s said they also pondered over her as a potential choice for Elphaba. This uncertainty culminated in a challenging first audition, during which Grande remembers:

They indeed made me perform four tunes: ‘No One Laments the Wicked,’ ‘Favorite,’ ‘The Wizard and I,’ and ‘Resisting Gravity.’

Despite the possibility that the team might’ve considered Ariana Grande to perform impactful and memorable solo songs for each main character, her ambition was singular: securing the part of Glinda. In preparation for the audition, she followed advice that was decades old by dressing in a way that reflected the role she aspired to play.

As a movie enthusiast, I found myself draped in a vibrant pink ensemble, leaving no room for doubt or subtlety. My attire was as clear as day! It seemed everyone was being meticulously tested, as they had me repeat the process numerous times. Eventually, I received my call-back, filled with scenes, dialogues, and more enchanting Glinda songs – all dedicated to the character of Glinda at that stage.

Following some auditions and compatibility checks, Grande secured the role, and undeniably, Wicked would lack her unique charm. Yet, knowing she was also considered for the role of Elphaba sparks my curiosity about potential differences in the production.

I’m curious to imagine how the play “Wicked” might have been different if the production team had heard Grande perform “Defying Gravity” and found her suitable for the role of Elphaba, given that she contrasts significantly with Glinda’s image, and she seems to have studied Chenoweth’s interpretation carefully.

It’s undeniable that she possesses the vocal abilities for the Wicked Witch of the West, but it’s challenging to visualize her as a less cheerful character. Since Ariana Grande has mainly portrayed lively and somewhat airheaded characters in her acting career, it would have been intriguing to watch her explore more diverse roles by taking on a character unlike those she played before.

Without a doubt, it could have resulted in another actress landing the Glinda role. Possibly, the part might have been given to Amanda Seyfried from “Mamma Mia!” or Dove Cameron, as they both expressed interest by auditioning for the role.

Indeed, there’s a significant downside to choosing Grande for the role of Elphaba. The primary issue is that we would miss out on Cynthia Erivo’s stunning portrayal of the iconic character, which would be a real loss. However, despite initial reservations about Grande’s casting, it turned out to be an opportunity for her to fulfill her long-held dream.

Although “Wicked” isn’t currently streamable on top platforms, you can either buy or rent it digitally by subscribing to Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-02-06 01:07