Ariana Grande is a life-long ‘Wicked‘ fan, which meant she knew that starring as Glinda in Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation came with some high expectations and pressure. The pop star’s fans were as excited as her about the role when it was declared.
But the news of her casting hasn’t really impressed many from the looks of it. Grande opened up during a recent appearance on the Sentimental Men podcast, speaking on the challenge that came with stepping into that iconic role and breaking free from the pop star mold. Here’s all she said.
Ariana Grande Acknowledges The High Expectations From ‘Wicked’
Ariana Grande, whose chart-topping hits have captured the hearts of her fans, admitted that she knew it would not be a piece of cake going through the auditioning process for ‘Wicked‘.
“This is something I loved so much about auditioning for ‘Wicked’. It has to be earned,” Grande said. “I wanted to make sure that people know it’s not because I am just some pop star that came in here,” she added.
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“So, 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,” she said.
Ariana Grande Is Stepping Into The Acting Shoes After A Long Time
Having started in musical theater at age eight, and having long been a huge fan of the Tony-winning show, Ariana Grande knew die-hard ‘Wicked‘ fans would have their reservations.
“I felt a little bit of the initial nervousness. about what I might be able to deliver or not deliver,” she admitted, adding that many critics were unaware of the vocal training she went through to prep for her audition.
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Talking about the skepticism she faced when she was cast for the role, Ariana Grande didn’thold any bars. “Off of ‘Side to Side,’ I probably would’ve said the same thing,” she joked with a laugh. “I would’ve said, ‘Why the f—? Kill me. I’ve waited 20 years for this,'” she added.
In Chu’s adaptation of ‘Wicked‘, Grande will play the role of Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba. The first installment of the two-part saga is scheduled to open on November 22, 2024, with the second in 2025. Only time will tell whether Grande’s performance will match her own and everyone else’s expectations.
