Clayton Davis Senior Awards Editor Ariana Grande’s career is one of transformation. She’s mastered reinvention from her Nickelodeon beginnings to her chart-topping pop career.
Now, in her most ambitious turn yet, she’s poised to dazzle the Oscars as Glinda, the Good Witch, in Universal Pictures’ blockbuster smash “Wicked.” But Grande’s venture into the emerald world of Oz is more than just a role — it’s a manifestation of her lifelong dream, one she’s earned through hard work, dedication, and, as she puts it, “a lot of love.” In a conversation during the Variety Awards Circuit Podcast, Grande opened up about the deeply personal journey of becoming Glinda, the emotional toll of “Wicked,” her plans for a deluxe version of her album, and her thoughts on what the future of movie musicals should look like.
Listen below. Grande’s connection to “Wicked” began long before she stepped onto the set. She recalls seeing the original Broadway production and falling in love with Kristen Chenoweth’s Glinda. “I saw Kristen, and it was heaven,” Grande says. “It’s surreal to think that I’m stepping into these shoes — ones I’ve idolized since I was a kid.
It’s the honor of my life.” But playing Glinda wasn’t just about hitting high notes and wearing sparkly gowns. It required emotional depth and a study of a character who evolves from an obliviously privileged socialite to someone grappling with loss and self-discovery.
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