Ariana Grande was ‘immediately obsessed’ with the Munchkins on Wicked set

Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set

As a longtime fan of musical theater and a connoisseur of all things pop culture, I am absolutely thrilled about Ariana Grande‘s role in “Wicked.” Her journey from Nickelodeon darling to global pop sensation has been nothing short of remarkable, and it’s fascinating to see her take on such an iconic character.


As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can tell you that the moment I laid my eyes on the enchanting Munchkins while visiting the Ivinghoe set of Wicked in 2022, I was instantly captivated and found myself completely smitten!

Ricardo Ludgero Souza, the dancer portraying a Munchkin, told TMZ that she became instantly captivated and eagerly desired to snap photos of everyone with her phone,” (or)

The movie employs Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). Consequently, during production, we utilized numerous blue blocks as placeholders, which were later used in post-production. This meant that while we were working, she would approach us and engage in conversation, even attempting to take photographs.

Instead of using a large cast like Victor Fleming did for the Munchkins in his 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, director Jon M. Chu chose a unique method for his project.

45-year-old filmmaker stated in a behind-the-scenes interview that the Munchkins were intended to be portrayed as a distinct cultural group, rather than defined by their size or appearance.

Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set

In Oz, there exists a diverse mix of individuals. They have a strong agricultural background, responsible for gathering the hues from the expansive tulip fields.

31-year-old pop star portrays the benevolent character, Glinda Upland (the Good Witch of the South), who journeys to Munchkinland to announce the demise of the Wicked Witch of the West and share her history in an opening song titled “No One Sheds a Tear for the Wicked.

In that particular moment, he mentioned a scene where she employed her magic wand. Trying to capture a specific camera viewpoint was our goal. However, she consistently failed to execute it correctly, as the young British man remembered.

Her reaction was amusing: she’d suddenly burst into laughter, exclaiming something like, “Oh no! I messed up again! I messed up!” It’s hilarious because it feels like catching a glimpse of an unseen celebrity.

‘You don’t have normal conversations [to see] just how human they are, really. And it was just nice to see her, like, turning a mistake into such a funny thing for everyone. And not just for herself.’

I myself can affirm that Ariana was gracious, articulate, and radiant on set, as Ricardo put it. In awe, I shared: ‘Her infectious, animated enthusiasm sparked excitement among us all, making each moment feel like a joyous celebration of musical theatre. Truly, it was an exhilarating experience to be part of such delightful camaraderie.’

Souza, who performs flips and back handsprings, observed: “She’s transformed into Glinda in every sense. There’s simply no other way to put it.

In the film version of the 2003 Broadway musical, Ethan Slater (Grande’s real-life partner), plays Boq – a Munchkin character – who studies at Shiz University alongside Glinda. Over time, Boq transforms into the Tin Woodman, also known as the Woodsman, in this cinematic adaptation of the story.

Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set
Ariana Grande was 'immediately obsessed' with the Munchkins on Wicked set

According to Gold Derby on Tuesday, it was predicted that the two-time Grammy winner is now one of the top five candidates for the Best Supporting Actress category at the 2025 Oscars, given her portrayal of Glinda.

Part one of Wicked hits US theaters November 27 followed by the second part on November 26, 2025.

This high-budget fantasy movie features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.

Last Friday saw Ariana earning three nominations, among them the ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ for ‘Eternal Sunshine’, during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards. These awards will be broadcast on CBS starting February 2nd.

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2024-11-14 04:09

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