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.
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, director Jon M. Chu, “Wicked” (Giles Keyte / Universal Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection)
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Col
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.
While Grande’s involvement in “Wicked” might seem serendipitous, her preparation for the role was rigorous. “I started acting lessons a year before I even knew when the auditions were happening,” she says. “I wanted to make sure I was ready. Transforming my voice to sing Glinda’s soprano parts took months. Pop singing and musical theater are so different. I had to retrain my muscles and reframe how I approached every note.”
Even after landing the part, Grande knew the responsibility she carried as Glinda. “From the moment it was announced, I realized this role would live with me forever. It’s an honor, but it also comes with so much weight. I wanted to do it justice. Glinda isn’t just a character to me — she’s a symbol of growth and love, and I wanted to give her everything I had.”
Grande credits her director, Jon M. Chu, with helping her navigate the complexities of Glinda’s emotional arc. “He’s a masterful artist,” she says with passion. “There’s so much nuance to Glinda, especially in ‘No One Mourns the Wicked.’ She’s grieving her best friend while putting on a brave face for the people of Oz. It’s a scene about loss, guilt, and forgiveness, and Jon helped me find the balance between those layers.”
Grande’s connection to “Wicked” cuts deep. “I grew up watching ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and dreaming of being in a musical like this,” she says. “It’s wild to think that something I manifested as a kid has become real. But it wasn’t just manifestation—it was a lot of hard work. My mom always taught me that nothing is out of reach if you’re kind, you work hard, and you believe in yourself. That’s what I carried into this role.”
Of course, the original 1939 film is one of the first movies that inspired her love for acting, but it wasn’t just that. She also broke out to do an impression of Marisa Tomei’s Oscar-winning performance from “My Cousin Vinny” (1992) — the famous “imagine you’re a deer…” speech — which might be a new core memory.
Still, with all the preparation, Grande says she’s still processing the enormity of the experience, even before anyone had seen the movie. “Someone yelled ‘Glinda!’ at me when I was at a show, and I just started crying,” she says as her voice begins to crack with emotion. “It hit me that this role will stay with me forever, and I’m so grateful for that.”
One pivotal moment Grande teases in the upcoming film’s second installment, “Wicked For Good,” will be the iconic duet between Glinda and Elphaba (played by her Oscar-contending co-star Cynthia Erivo). “Shooting ‘For Good’ was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced,” Grande shares. “It was such a long and emotional process. I kind of left my body. We filmed it over the course of a week, and it stayed with me. I haven’t even seen the final cut yet because I’m not sure I’m ready to feel all of it again.”
The sequel, scheduled to be released on Nov. 21, also offers something new for fans of the beloved musical: a brand-new song for Glinda, written by composer Stephen Schwartz. “It’s a pivotal moment in Glinda’s journey,” Grande reveals. “It shows a side of her we’ve never seen before. In the stage show, this transformation happens offstage. But in the movie, we get to see her make the decision that defines who she is. It’s a privilege to sing this song and be the first Glinda to bring it to life.”
Grande hopes Schwartz’s original composition will someday make its way into the stage show. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?” she muses.
Ariana Grande,”Wicked” (Universal Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection)
©Universal/Courtesy Everett Col
Though “Wicked” has dominated Grande’s recent years, she hasn’t forgotten her roots in music. When asked about the existence of a deluxe version of her latest album, “Eternal Sunshine,” she perks up and proclaims: “Oh, she exists!”
The new version is, as she explains, “in the can” and will include a few new songs. “It’s a very special project,” Grande says. “I’m out there so much right now. I want to let my children miss me for two seconds. I’m excited to surprise them with it at some point, but I’m still mulling over the timing in my head. It’s not the end of ‘Peaches’ just yet, but she’s going in the closet for a minute.”
She continues: “The album is so concise, and I didn’t want to add songs just for the sake of it. The new tracks are short, but they really count.”
As for live performances? Fans may have to wait. “I was considering a mini-tour between the ‘Wicked’ films, but I’ve decided to prioritize acting for now,” she explains. “Performing will always be a part of my life, but I want to focus on this chapter of storytelling through film.”
A lifelong musical theater fan, Grande is passionate about seeing more Broadway shows adapted for the big screen. “I’d love to see ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’ and ‘Spamalot’ as movies,” she says. She goes on to name “Next to Normal” and “Avenue Q,” the show that beat “Wicked” at the 2004 Tony Awards. ”But we need to update it a little bit.”
When asked if there’s a dream role she’d like to tackle next, Grande demurs. “I have no idea,” she admits. “Right now, I’m so focused on ‘Wicked’ and taking it all in. But I know I want to stay in this world for a while. Acting feels like home to me in a way I didn’t expect. It’s such a joy to tell stories, whether it’s through music, film or comedy. I want to keep growing and exploring.”
With “Wicked” dominating the awards season, Grande is taking it all in stride. When she sat down with Variety, she was the critics’ awards leader for wins for supporting actress. As of now, she’s tied with Margaret Qualley (“The Substance”) and Zoe Saldaña (“Emilia Pérez”).
The fact caught her by surprise, as she turned to members of her team to ask if it was true. “This is all so surreal,” she says. “I’m just grateful to be here, part of this magical story, and share it with the world. It’s more than I ever dreamed of.”
As the lights of Oz shine brighter, one thing is clear: Ariana Grande isn’t just playing Glinda — she is Glinda. And for fans of the actress, singer, and superstar, this is only the beginning of her next act.
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jazz Tangcay, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Riley and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode, “Awards Circuit” features interviews with top film and TV talent and creatives, discussions and debates about awards races and industry headlines, and much more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or anywhere you download podcasts.
