What a wicked fantastic bit of casting!
The stars of the highly-anticipated Wicked film have finally been revealed — and what inspired choices indeed.
Ariana Grande has officially been announced to star in Wicked, playing the role of Glinda for the film. Ari has notably performed quite a few Elphaba songs in the past, and now, she’ll be taking on the songs of Elphaba’s counterpart. We’re very excited to hear what she’ll do with the music in the film!
Starring alongside Ari is Cynthia Erivo, who has been officially announced as the film’s Elphaba. Cynthia is a Broadway powerhouse with her legendary, Tony-winning turn in The Color Purple. She will more than do justice to Wicked’s incredible tracks!
Director Jon M. Chu announced the casting on social media. He took to Twitter to write:
“Goooood Newwwws!!! The incredible #CynthiaErivo and @ArianaGrande will be our Elphaba and Glinda in @WickedMovie @UniverslPics
Get ready for a match up like you’ve never seen!!! In pink and green!!!”
The two very talented ladies took to social media on Thursday evening (November 4) to share the amazing news. In each of their posts on social media, the superstars wrote a sweet message to the other.
Cynthia wrote this to Ari:
“‘Pink goes good with green.’ Congratulations Miss A, the part was made for you. I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you.”
And Ari wrote this to Cynthia:
“Dear Cynthia, Honored doesn’t even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you. See you in Oz. All my love, Ari.”
Shortly after the casting announcement, a very interesting and adorable tweet of Ari’s went viral — a tweet she wrote eleven years ago!
Ari is a massive, massive fan of the musical for the past 18 years. She first met Kristin Chenoweth backstage after Ari watched Wicked on Broadway. Kristin first breathed life into the role of Glinda on stage. Ari is still friends with Kristen, and they worked together on Hairspray Live.
Back in 2011, Ari returned to watch Wicked on Broadway again, and afterwards she tweeted about how she dreamt of playing Glinda one day. She declared:
“Loved seeing Wicked again… amazing production! Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life! #DreamRole”
She’s been manifesting this role for over a decade, and now, her dream has finally come true! Wow!
A Wicked original star has shared her thoughts on the casting news. The dazzling Idina Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance, has taken to social media to express her reaction to Ari and Cynthia being cast as Glinda and Elphaba.
Idina wrote on Twitter:
“Congrats to two amazing women. May it change your lives for the better forever and ever as it has for us. So much love.”
Congratulations to these two fantastic ladies!
