Ariana Grande is opening up about the mixed reactions to her casting as Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked films. As a longtime fan of the iconic musical, the 31-year-old singer and actress is well aware of the expectations surrounding her performance. Ariana’s love for Wicked goes way back; she first saw it on Broadway with the original cast, where she even had a chance to meet her future co-star and friend, Kristin Chenoweth, backstage.
After news of her casting broke, some die-hard fans of the musical expressed doubts about Ariana’s fit for the role. Surprisingly, Ariana understands where they’re coming from. Speaking on the Sentimental Man podcast, she acknowledged the initial backlash and the reservations people had about seeing her as Glinda. “I felt a little bit of the initial nervousness or the sort of preconceived notions about what I might be able to deliver or not deliver, or why I would be wrong [for the role] or whatever,” she explained.
Known for pop hits like “Side to Side” and “7 Rings,” Ariana can see why fans might have their own ideas about her capability to bring Glinda to life. “Going off of [my song] ‘Side to Side,’ I probably would’ve said the same thing,” she admitted with a laugh. “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,’ probably I’d say, ‘Well, that’s bulls–t.’ So, you know, I get it.”
Ariana recognizes that Wicked means a lot to fans and wants them to know that she feels just as strongly. Reflecting on the audition process, she shared, “This is something I loved so much about auditioning for Wicked. It has to be earned. Anything on this scale, being a part of anything, it’s not just given because they know you for one thing.” For her, taking on Glinda’s role is about showing a different side of herself and embracing the chance to prove her versatility as a performer.
She also sees the project as an opportunity to “reframe people’s perception” and embrace the challenge of stepping outside her established pop persona. “It’s fun to kind of have the challenge of reframing people’s perception and doing the work to earn your way back into the other spaces,” Ariana continued. Rather than letting the criticism get to her, she’s choosing to rise to the challenge and approach the role with the dedication it deserves.
For Ariana, this isn’t just about playing a character—it’s a dream role she’s been waiting for, much like many Wicked fans who have grown up with the story. With her deep respect for the musical and her understanding of the responsibility that comes with playing Glinda, Ariana is ready to bring her own spin to the beloved character and hopes to do justice to a role that means so much to her and fans alike.
In her words, it’s about earning her place in the Wicked universe and showing that she’s more than just a pop star. With her background, dedication, and genuine love for Wicked, Ariana is ready to win over skeptics and make Glinda her own.
