Ariana Grande casts a spell on us in Wicked – and she says playing Glinda in the movie has left a mark on her too.
She tells me playing the iconic witch in the big screen adaptation of the stage musical has taught her to stop being a “people pleaser”, as she opens up about how the role has changed her. Reflecting on what the part has taught her, Ariana says: “Coming into the role, I think I would doubt myself – and maybe even have been a bit of a people pleaser.
“Glinda, in a good way, is so sure of herself – she’s taught me that it’s okay to have boundaries and stop trying to please people. When I think of all that she’s taught me, it actually makes me a little emotional.”
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Although famous for Top 10 hits such as Love Me Harder, Thank U Next and Don’t Call Me Angel, Ariana started out on stage as a child actor, appearing in Broadway musical 13 at just 15. Still in her teens, she found fame as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon TV series Victorious.
And she says it was a joy to put her music aside and escape real life by getting back to her roots. Ariana says: “What I’ve really missed about acting is the opportunity to be somebody else.
“When I’m writing music, it’s an extension of me. I’m writing about my own pain, my own trauma, my own experiences. But when I’m acting, I get to take this character on that’s nothing to do with me.
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AP)
“Of course I try to bring my own experiences, to help bring the character to life – but yeah, that’s what I’ve really missed.” Wicked is the first of a two-part adaptation of the stage musical, starring Ariana, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Jeff Goldblum.
Cynthia’s Elphaba is a misunderstood witch because of her green skin – while Glinda is a popular girl. They become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz. But their bond is tested after they cross paths with Oz’s “Wonderful Wizard”.
And with hits such as Popular and Defying Gravity, Ariana has still been able to showcase her amazing vocals in the film. And bosses at Universal Pictures will be singing too – fans flocking to cinemas helped it rake in £14million in the UK and Ireland on its release, making it the top-grossing opening weekend of 2024.
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