Current：Home > InvestAriana Grande Responds to Fan Criticism Over Her Wicked Casting -×
Ariana Grande Responds to Fan Criticism Over Her Wicked Casting
View
Date：2025-04-11 22:24:40
Ariana Grande understands that she wasn’t necessarily a popular choice to play Glinda in Wicked.
The 31-year-old opened up about her history with the hit Broadway musical and her passion for playing the pink-loving “good” witch in the film adaptation opposite Cynthia Erivo in the role of Elphaba.
“It has to be earned, anything on this scale,” Ariana said on the Nov. 1 episode of the Sentimental Men podcast. “Of course, it’s Wicked, that’s the most respectable thing. That has to be earned!”
However, she understands why Wicked fans might not welcome the casting news.
“Going off of ‘Side to Side,’ I probably would’ve said the same thing," she said. "I probably would’ve said, ‘Why the f--k? Kill me. I’ve waited 20 years for this. Kill me.’ I would’ve said that as a fan from the outside, knowing of only ‘7 Rings.' I’d say, ‘Well, that’s bulls--t.’ So, you know, I get it.”
The Grammy winner also admitted to being anxious over living up to expectations.
“I felt a little bit of the initial nervousness,” she said, “or the sort of preconceived notions about what I might be able to deliver or not deliver, or why I would be wrong or whatever.”
The “thank u, next” singer added that though some might perceive her stardom as an advantage, she felt otherwise.
“I think it’s the opposite, it can work against me in certain ways,” she explained. “When you have this caricaturized persona out there and people know you as this one thing. Is this person going to be able to erase that and disappear into this character?”
In 2021, Ariana went through several rounds of auditions for the highly anticipated role and even got the blessing of actress Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role on the stage. In fact, Ariana shared that Kristin burst into tears when she told her she planned to audition for Glinda.
“She was like, ‘I was hoping this would happen. I love you and I trust you, baby girl,’” Ariana recalled. “’Just do your thing. You’re so funny and you have great instincts, and no one knows that. You’re gonna back door ‘em.’”
Wicked hits theaters Nov. 22.
For a first look at Ariana’s role in the film, read on.
veryGood！ (633)
Related
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Gregg Berhalter faces mounting pressure after USMNT's Copa America exit
- Epic penalties drama for Ronaldo ends with Portugal beating Slovenia in a Euro 2024 shootout
- Long time coming. Oklahoma's move to the SEC was 10 years in the making
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Hospital to pay $300K to resolve drug recordkeeping allegations
- Arthur Crudup wrote the song that became Elvis’ first hit. He barely got paid
- Le Pen first had success in an ex-mining town. Her message there is now winning over French society
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- 'Guiding Light' actor and model Renauld White dies at 80
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- The Real Reason Nick Cannon Insured His Balls for $10 Million
- Rick Ross says he 'can't wait to go back' to Vancouver despite alleged attack at festival
- You're Overdue for a Checkup With the House Cast Then and Now
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- House Republicans sue Attorney General Merrick Garland, seeking Biden audio
- Naomi Osaka wins at Wimbledon for the first time in 6 years, and Coco Gauff moves on, too
- Hearing set to determine if a Missouri death row inmate is innocent. His execution is a month later
Recommendation
The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
Biden administration proposes rule to protect workers from extreme heat
What restaurants are open on July 4th? Hours and details for Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, McDonald's, more
Powerball winning numbers for July 1 drawing: Jackpot rises to $138 million
Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
In wake of Supreme Court ruling, Biden administration tells doctors to provide emergency abortions
Indiana Rep. Victoria Spartz charged with weapons violation at Virginia airport
What to put on a sunburn — and what doctors say to avoid