From Green to Pink: Ariana Grande’s Audition Twist For Wicked

Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked, initially auditioned for the role of Elphaba, the green-skinned witch.

The pop superstar sang Elphaba’s songs during her audition, a move that surprised director Jon M. Chu.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Chu revealed, “I assumed she was coming in for Glinda, but my casting director said, ‘No, she’s auditioning for Elphaba.’ Though unexpected, we let her go for it. She was wonderful, but in my mind, she was always Glinda.”

Grande confirmed the confusion during the Sentimental Man podcast, admitting, “I always felt in my heart that Glinda was my role. But when I heard I might read for both, I thought it was because people weren’t sure if my voice fit Glinda better than Elphaba.” She added, “I secretly knew I was meant to play Glinda.”

The highly anticipated adaptation, directed by Chu, tells the story of Glinda and Elphaba’s complex friendship before it’s torn apart by the manipulative Wizard of Oz. The cast includes Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, alongside Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Ethan Slater.

To bring authenticity to their performances, Grande and Erivo insisted on singing live during filming. “It was an immediate no-brainer,” Grande told E! News. Erivo agreed, saying, “There’s something special about live music in a room—it brings an unmatched energy.”

Wicked hit the theaters on November 22, 2024.