Ariana Grande Embraces Challenge of Playing Glinda in Wicked Film Adaptation

Ariana Grande, a lifelong fan of Wicked, is stepping into the iconic role of Glinda (formerly Galinda) Upland for the upcoming film adaptation by director Jon M. Chu. Reflecting on her audition journey, the two-time Grammy winner shared her excitement and the intense pressure to honor a character beloved by many.

On the Sentimental Men podcast, Grande opened up about the challenge of breaking free from her pop star image to prove herself in the world of musical theater. “This is something I loved so much about auditioning for Wicked,” she said. “It has to be earned. It’s not just given because of one thing.” For Grande, this role was an opportunity to reshape public perception, and she welcomed the chance to show she could excel outside her usual genre.

Having a deep-rooted passion for musical theater, which she started at the age of eight, Grande felt the weight of fan expectations. “I felt the initial nervousness,” she admitted, acknowledging that people may have doubted her ability to bring Glinda to life. Her pop hits like “7 Rings” and “Side to Side” don’t exactly showcase the vocal range or style needed for a musical like Wicked, and she understands why some fans were skeptical. “Going off ‘Side to Side,’ I probably would’ve said the same thing… as a fan from the outside knowing only of ‘7 Rings,’ probably — I’d say, ‘Well, that’s bull—,’” she confessed with humor.

Wicked, based on the smash-hit Broadway musical, tells the story of Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) and their journey from college classmates at Shiz University to their fateful encounter with the Wizard of Oz, portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. Grande’s dedication to embodying Glinda adds another layer of anticipation for the film.

Chu, who took on the project for Universal in 2021, is dividing the film into two parts. Fans can expect the first installment to premiere on November 22, 2024, with the second following a year later on November 21, 2025.

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