Ariana Grande understands the Wicked casting criticism

As a gamer with a deep-rooted love for musicals and Ariana Grande, I must admit that hearing about her casting as Glinda in “Wicked” initially sparked some skepticism within me. Like many others, my perception of Grande was shaped by her pop hits like ‘Side to Side’ and ‘7 Rings’. However, after delving deeper into the story behind this much-anticipated film adaptation, I find myself genuinely excited about Grande’s portrayal of Glinda.


Ariana Grande has opened up about the casting criticism she has received over her role in Wicked.

The Grammy winner is set to play Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M Chu’s much-anticipated film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. Cynthia Erivo will portray Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

2021 saw varying responses upon the announcement of Grande’s role-casting, as musical theatre enthusiasts expressed concerns due to her background in pop music.

In an appearance on the “Sentimental Men” podcast, the actress confessed that she felt apprehensive about discovering others’ initial opinions as to whether she was capable of effectively portraying the character.

Ariana Grande understands the Wicked casting criticism

She mentioned that she had some initial apprehension and perhaps some pre-existing thoughts about her capabilities, wondering if she could meet expectations or not, or questioning whether she might make mistakes.

In addition, Grande pointed out that musical theater enthusiasts may not be familiar with her due to her popular tunes such as the 2016 chart-topper ‘Side to Side,’ a collaboration with rap artist Nicki Minaj.

In response to your question, “Based on what was expressed in ‘Side to Side’, it’s likely she would have used similar words.” Or, more casually, “She probably would have reacted much the same way as shown in ‘Side to Side’.

As an outsider who knows just ‘7 Rings’, I’d likely express my surprise with something like, “Gosh, that seems rather far-fetched to me.” But I understand why things might appear that way.

Ariana Grande understands the Wicked casting criticism

In another part of the conversation, Grande expressed that playing Glinda was her ideal role, and she candidly discussed the difficulty of transcending her pop star image.

“This is something I loved so much about auditioning for Wicked. It has to be earned,” she said.

“Being included in something on this scale isn’t automatic; it requires effort and understanding. It’s intriguing to attempt to shift people’s perspectives and prove yourself worthy of re-entry into other spheres.

The upcoming cinematic rendition of “Wicked” will be divided into two films, with the first part debuting towards the end of this month, while the second installment is set for release in November 2025.

Alongside Grande, Erivo, and other stellar talents, this blockbuster also features Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton, the graceful Michelle Yeoh from The Brothers Sun, the legendary Jeff Goldblum known for his Marvel roles, and the formidable Peter Dinklage hailing from Game of Thrones. In other words, I can’t wait to see these fantastic actors bring their A-game in this movie!

The first part of the movie “Wicked” will hit theaters on November 22. The second part, scheduled for release, is set for November 21, 2025.

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2024-11-05 00:18

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