Wicked

Warning : This clause contains spoiler for Wicked . One of the biggest films of 2024 , much of the achiever ofWickedis due to its leading charwoman , Cynthia Erivo ’s Elphaba and Ariana Grande ’s Glinda . The movie musical is about the unlikely friendship between the two witches , as well as what pass Elphaba to become the Wicked Witch of the West , forsaking the Wizard of Oz ( Jeff Goldblum ) in the procedure . Both actress deliver stunning performances in thejaw - dropping melodious adjustment ofWicked , and their roles are dead their own .

However , Grande auditioned for a different eccentric before becoming Glinda , a purpose that well suited the pop mavin turnedShiz Universityalum . While she has the acting and singe chops to rend off a version of anycharacter in theWickedcast , Glinda was the gross role for Grande on several level . Her Glinda compliments Erivo ’s Elphaba , making it hard to suppose either one not in these respective roles .

Ariana Grande Originally Auditioned to Play Elphaba in Wicked Instead of Glinda

Grande Auditioning for Elphaba Was Due to Miscommunication

WhileGrande audition for the role of Elphaba , director John M. Chu always saw her as Glinda . Even then , it would have been natural to first associate Grande with the future Good Witch when she covered parts of Glinda ’s signature tune song in her own pop lead " Popular , " and publicly adjudge she want to play Glinda year ago ( viaEntertainment Weekly ) . Chu was even under the printing Grande would issue forth in to audition for the role of Glinda ; however , consort to an interview withEntertainment Weekly , Grande initially tried out for Elphaba .

One of the most powerful scenes in 2024 ’s Wicked is at the Ozdust Ballroom , and it has a mess to do with Elphaba ’s unique dance .

For Chu , there was no question about Grande fit out for the role of Glinda , but due to communicating return , she was under the effect she was auditioning for Elphaba , even train Sung for the Wicked Witch of the West . gratefully , Chu and Grande in the end contract on the same page , as cover inEntertainment Weekly :

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" We were getting sundry messages . I was like , ' Of course she ’s get in for Galinda . ' And then my casting theater director was like , ' No , I think she think she ’s coming in for Elphaba . ' I ’m like , ' That was not the program . ' And they ’re like , ' Well , she prepped it . ' She was being nice to me , and I was being nice to her . We just let her do it . But in my mind I was like , ' Why is she spill the beans Elphaba right now ? ' Maybe because she ’s sing those in the past times , but to me , she was always a Glinda . We did n’t know each other well enough to be like , ' very well , get ’s elucidate up the telephone plot here . We are here for Glinda . ripe ? ' "

How Ariana Grande’s Elphaba Would’ve Been Different Than Cynthia Erivo’s

Grande’s Strengths As Glinda Don’t Work For Elphaba

While it will never be cognise what Grande ’s Elphaba would have been like as it never made it to the enceinte silver screen , one can imagine the difference establish on her operation as Glinda , as well as Erivo ’s performance as Elphaba . look first at Grande ’s functioning as Glinda , one of her large strengths is her comedic delivery and physicalityin thenear - perfectly ratedWickedmovie .

The Wizard of Oz ' Dorothy Gale is cite and boast in the 2nd act of Broadway ’s   Wicked , though only as a silhouette . Conversely , I suppose I ’d like to see more of Dorothy in   Wicked : Part Two , as I opine it could really help flesh out the report and dynamics of what her arriver to Oz led to considering the end of Elphaba ’s story .

While Elphaba has some curious minute , those are much more unpretentious and few compared to Glinda ’s constant quip . If the molding had been different , either Elphaba would have been made into a more comedic character to accommodate Grande ’s skill set — something that Elphaba is not know for — or Grande would want to dial back . This would have been a dissipation of Grande ’s endowment , as she always succeeds in rifle bountiful and going comical .

Ariana Grande in Wicked holding up pointed witch hat

Custom Image by Ana Nieves

Another hypothetical modification business how the songs would have been delivered . While Grande has an incredible reach , as seen from her caricature of other player onSaturday Night Live , her interpreting of Elphaba would be her own , not a diversion of a anterior performance on Broadway . Additionally , as also seen inWicked Part 1 , Grande ’s vocals are drastically unlike from Erivo’s . Grande sure enough has the power to hit Elphaba ’s ill-famed note , but it would not be the same as when Erivo ’s belting - suitable voice .

Wicked Was Better Off With Ariana Grande As Glinda

Grande’s Glinda Is Perfect, & Her Chemistry With Erivo Is Even Better

Ariana Grande ’s Glindais perfect , from the singing to the comedic timing and everything in between , andGlinda is a difficult character to portray . She ’s delusional , ego - centered , and champagne to an extreme . It ’s understandable why she initially grates on Elphaba ’s nerves . It ’s a challenge to make a character like this someone audience can take root for , or at the very least revel watch over . Grande achieves just that by making her Glinda screaming yet empathic .

Gregory Maguire , who write the novel that the melodic Wicked is establish on , shares his sentiment on the movie and praise one performance in special .

Furthermore , Grande has win two Grammys and received 18 nominations total . She is a gifted Isaac Merrit Singer , pull in her vocal public presentation alone as Glinda instantaneously iconic . She can stumble the preposterously high notes require of everyone who has ever played Glinda , doing so while delivering a high - zip performance that leaves audience smile . However , most significant is her alchemy with Cynthia Erivo .

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba wearing glasses and looking bemused in Wicked

Image via Universal Pictures

Wickedhinges on this friendship and the two accoladed performer complement each other perfectly in the movie . Even in their mechanical press junket and interviews , it ’s decipherable Grande and Erivo function well together . Elphaba and Glinda ’s friendship and how far they go together is one of the highlight of the film , and that plot line would not be the same without Erivo as Elphaba and Grande asGlinda the Good Witch .

Source : Entertainment Weekly

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loathsome adapts the Broadway melodic into a two - part flick , following the improbable friendship between Elphaba , born with unripened skin , and Glinda , a democratic aristocrat , in the Land of Oz . As they sail their contrasting path , they develop into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West .

Glinda and Elphaba looking at themselves in the mirror in Wicked

Dorothy With Elphaba and Glinda Custom Wicked Image

Glinda (Ariana Grande) puts a flower in Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) hair in Wicked

Image via Universal Pictures

Glinda and Elphaba with their hands on their foreheads in Wicked 2024

Wicked - Poster

Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Headshot Of Cynthia Erivo

Headshot Of Ariana Grande In The 2024 Met Gala

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Wicked