Current：Home > ContactAriana Grande Responds to Fan Criticism Over Her Wicked Casting -Visionary Wealth Guides
Ariana Grande Responds to Fan Criticism Over Her Wicked Casting
View
Date：2025-04-12 03:08:37
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！ (2)
Related
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- Kroger and Albertsons hope to merge but must face a skeptical US government in court first
- Watch these compelling canine tales on National Dog Day
- Zoë Kravitz says Beyoncé was 'so supportive' of that 'Blink Twice' needle drop
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Kate Middleton Makes Rare Appearance With Royal Family to Attend Church Service
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. John Gotti III fight card results, round-by-round analysis
- Olympic star Mondo Duplantis breaks pole vault world record again, has priceless reaction
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- ‘It’s Just No Place for an Oil Pipeline’: A Wisconsin Tribe Continues Its Fight to Remove a 71-Year-Old Line From a Pristine Place
Ranking
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- What to know about the heavy exchange of fire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah
- Walz’s exit from Minnesota National Guard left openings for critics to pounce on his military record
- Sister Wives: Robyn Brown Says Kody Is “Sabotaging” Their Marriage After Splits
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Video shows California principal's suggestive pep rally dancing. Now he's on leave.
- These proud conservatives love wind turbines and solar power. Here's why.
- Lake Mary, Florida, rallies to beat Taiwan 2-1 in 8 innings to win Little League World Series title
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Trump would veto legislation establishing a federal abortion ban, Vance says
Lydia Ko completes ‘Cinderella-like story’ by winning Women’s British Open soon after Olympic gold
Watch these compelling canine tales on National Dog Day
Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
Lea Michele Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 2 With Husband Zandy Reich
Schools are competing with cell phones. Here’s how they think they could win
Go inside the fun and fanciful Plaid Elephant Books in Kentucky