AS a little girl Ariana Grande dreamed of playing Glinda in Wicked so it’s no wonder the singer wept tears of joy when she landed the role in the movie adaption of the hit musical.
The pop icon, who first saw Wicked on Broadway when she was 10-years-old, admits she spent a decade begging the producers to give her the part in the stage show and was blown away when she was asked to audition for the film.
Ariana, 31, whose portrayal of the Good Witch of the South has been tipped for Oscar success, reveals she felt like she had been transported somewhere over the rainbow when she was told the role was hers.
The former Nickelodeon star, who has sold more than 90 million records worldwide, said: “Being told I was to play Glinda in one of the most anticipated movies of all time was the best day of my life.
“I was just thankful to get an audition. I had been asking Wicked producer Marc Platt for an audition from the moment I turned 20. I knew the movie was happening and it was my dream just to audition. I have never wanted anything more. So to actually bet the role was beyond anything I could have wished for.”
Ariana, whose songs have had more than 98 billion streams, added: “When I was ten-years-old my mom took me to see Wicked and then she spoiled me by having me meet the cast backstage.
“It was actually a prize at the Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids auction. I kept raising my hand, and my mom was like, ‘Ariana, that’s enough, that’s enough!’ But I kept bidding and she spoiled me.
“So I got to go backstage and meet the cast, including Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda, who I was obsessed with. I remember her dog peed on the couch in her dressing room and we cleaned it up together. She gave me a little wand and a little bottle of magic shower gel.”
The much-anticipated movie, which hits UK cinemas on November 22, also stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard and Jonathan Bailey as Flyero Tigelaar.
Ariana recalls her emotional first day on set with The Color Purple star Cynthia, who she describes as “extraordinarily beautiful and talented.
The Victorious star, who performed in her local youth theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz as a child, said: “The director Jon M. Chu did a speech that morning and I remember holding Cynthia’s hand and just sobbing as he welcomed the crew. The set was massive but we were in our dorm room, all holding hands with Jon saying, ‘Welcome to Wicked.’ That was the first day.”
Ariana, who met her actor boyfriend Ethan Slater on the set of Wicked, added: “Cynthia is amazing and we have forged a special friendship. I loved every minute of working with her. She is so talented and just so wonderful a person. She became like a sister to me.
“The way she brings her character to life is just incredible to see. So many amazing women have played these characters but the way Cynthia brings Elphaba to life is just so extraordinarily beautiful. I love her and I can’t wait for everyone to experience what she brings to the character.”
The film like the stage show tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Glinda and Elphaba who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West – made famous in The Wizard of Oz film starring Judy Garland.
The movie adaption comes in two parts – with the second set to be released in 2025 – and Ariana admits there is always a risk in bringing as show as loved as Wicked to the big screen.
Ariana, whose boyfriend plays Boq – a munchkin who falls in love with Glinda – said: “There is always an incredible amount of pressure doing anything with something as beloved as Wicked. But I am a diehard fan too.
“I love the show and this film takes the tradition of what we have loved over the past 20 years and finds new truths and new depth to the characters.
“There is a huge level of anticipation for Wicked and I’m so excited. I have been trying so hard not say too much but I can’t wait for everyone to see it. I’m so proud of it.
“It’s very different in the way that you get to see and experience way much more on film. This is such an exciting opportunity explore this world and these characters and to see what you can find.”
The 7 Rings singer, who divorced her real estate agent husband Dalton Gomez in 2023, added: “It’s so surreal seeing myself up on screen in a fully realised Oz. To see the movie and to feel the response from the fans from the moment the first trailer was released has just been overwhelming.
“Just being on set felt like being in Oz because almost everything was actually built and practical. Now to see yourself on screen with flying monkeys and everything else is just amazing. I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
“I enjoyed every single minute, every day of the two years it took to shoot the movie. It was a long time and I learned so much from our incredible cast and crew, from the brilliant Cynthia Erivo especially. To share Oz with such special people and to feel the love we have received from fans is my favourite thing about being in Oz. It really is magical.
“I’m excited for the audience to see every single scene. There is so much to see, so much to enjoy. It’s incredible.”
Ariana, who has performed to sold out stadiums all over the world, admits singing as Glinda was whole new ball game as there were scenes she had to sing while hanging upside down from a broomstick.
The singer/songwriter, who is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, said: “It’s very different. Usually when I sing, I’m telling my own story but this was about telling a completely different story and disappearing in a way I never do when I am performing. So everything from the way I sing to my movement and physicality had to be completely different in order to play this character.
“I also did a lot of stunt singing for this, which was very different. Not as much as Cynthia. She was up there on a harness with a broom, wearing a hat, wig and corset being flipped upside-down and flung all around the set. We had to do some really insane things for this film but it was so much fun.”
Wicked Part 1 will be released in UK cinemas on November 27
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