Becoming Glinda: Ariana Grande’s Determined Pursuit of ‘Wicked’ Dreams
Ariana Grande faced a decades-long road in pursuit of achieving her dream role in the film adaptation of the Broadway play, Wicked. She always felt a kinship to the story of two very different people who became close friends and created change. Grande’s determination allowed her the chance to play a key role in a story so dear to her heart.
Ariana Grande pursued ‘Wicked’ producers for a decade
Ariana Grande began pursuing a role in the film production of Wicked in 2013. She auditioned time and again for the role, never giving up on her childhood dream.
In an interview with Billboard, Grande revealed that she had to earn her place at Wicked‘s table. With a history of selling millions of records and high-grossing concert tours in her rearview mirror, it appeared unlikely she would have to work hard to get the role, but that is quite the opposite of what occurred.
“People sometimes say to me, ‘You had to audition?’ Of course, are you out of your gourd?” she explained. “It’s Wicked! And it requires a totally different skill set than people know me for and have ever seen me do anything like,” she explained. “It’s Wicked! That’s the most respectful thing! It has to be earned, period!”
“It was 10 years of being like, ‘Knock, knock, any developments? Is there an audition coming this year, or next year? I would like to start preparing today,’” she told Vanity Fair.
Ariana Grande admits her first day on the ‘Wicked’ set was the ‘most emotional of my life’
During an appearance on the 2024 Met Gala red carpet, Ariana Grande spoke to Variety about Wicked. She called her first day the most emotional of her life.
“My first day on set for Wicked was the most emotional day of my life,” Grande recalled. “All I remember was holding hands with [co-star] Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [Chu] and crying. And [Jon] saying, ‘Welcome to Wicked.'”
In the same interview, Erivo said of Grande, “[Ariana] is so open and generous with her performance that it is so easy to be in a scene with her. You look at her eyes and you know she is telling the truth.”
Why does Ariana Grande love ‘Wicked’?
Ariana Grande spoke of her love for Wicked on the podcast Sentimental Men. She said the musical entered her life when she was 10.
She met Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth after bidding on a backstage tour after the Broadway show’s performance. Menzel gifted Grande a green bracelet, and Chenoweth gave the future pop star a wand. Grande reflected on the moment, calling it “full circle.”
Grande added that the Wicked soundtrack provided her “love and comfort” for many years. During the podcast, she called the music her “safe space” which calmed her when she was nervous about something.
To remember the little girl who loved the show so much, Ariana Grande is credited by her real name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the film’s credits.
Wicked: Part One is in theaters on Nov. 22. Wicked: Part Two is slated to be released on Nov. 26, 2025.
