Ariana Grande Responds to Backlash Over Her Glinda Casting in Wicked

Ariana Grande recently opened up about the immense pressure she felt when she was cast as Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation. The 31-year-old pop sensation has been candid about her nerves and the external criticism she faced as she prepared for this iconic role, particularly from fans who were skeptical about her ability to transform from pop star to the bubbly, iconic witch.

During a recent appearance on the Sentimental Men podcast, hosted by Quincy Brown and Kevin Bianchi, Ariana was asked about what scared her the most about stepping into Glinda’s sparkly shoes.

Grande explained that while the possibility of auditioning for the role had been floating around before the pandemic, the rigorous three-month audition process was daunting. But once she landed the part, her feelings of nervousness only intensified. “I felt a little bit of the initial nervousness, or the sort of preconceived notions about what I might be able to deliver, or not deliver, or why I would be wrong for the role or whatever,” she admitted.

What worried Grande most wasn’t just the challenge of embodying such an iconic character, but also proving to her critics that she could step beyond her pop persona. “Going off of [her single] ‘Side to Side,’ I probably would’ve said the same thing. I probably would’ve said, ‘Why the f–k? Kill me. I’ve waited 20 years for this. Kill me,'” Grande confessed, acknowledging how the outside world might view her casting decision based on her previous work. “Knowing of only ‘7 Rings,’ probably I’d say, ‘Well, that’s bulls–t.'”

She continued, “So, you know, I get it.” Grande explained that, as a fan of Wicked herself, she understood why some might have had doubts about her being able to take on such a challenging role.

The pop star has been known for her hits like “Problem,” “Side to Side,” and “7 Rings,” which have firmly established her as a musical force, but these songs are a far cry from the more theatrical and nuanced performance needed for Glinda.

One of the aspects of this role that Grande truly appreciated was the challenge of earning her place in the Wicked universe, rather than just being handed the role because of her fame. “This is something I loved so much about auditioning for Wicked… it has to be earned. Anything on this scale, being a part of something like this, it’s not just given because they know you for one thing,” she said. “So, it’s fun to kind of have the challenge of reframing people’s perception and doing the work to earn your way back into the other spaces.”

Her words reflect her understanding of the responsibility and challenges that come with taking on such a major role, especially one that has become so deeply embedded in popular culture.

While many fans may have associated her primarily with her music career, Grande was eager to show that she had the range and dedication to deliver a powerful, nuanced performance as Glinda.

Now, as the cast of Wicked embarks on a world tour to promote the film, Grande is sharing more personal moments from the experience, including some heartfelt snapshots from the premiere.

One particularly sweet photo shows her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, who plays Boq in the film, helping her down a set of stairs while holding the train of her Vivienne Westwood gown, which was reminiscent of Glinda’s magical look. This marks the first time Grande has posted a photo with Slater, further fueling speculation about their growing relationship.

In a heartwarming gesture, Slater was also spotted receiving a pink friendship bracelet from a fan named Melissa, who asked if he could pass it along to Grande.

In a video shared on social media, Slater enthusiastically agreed, assuring the fan that Ariana would love the bracelet. “I’m pretty sure she’s coming if you want [to give it to her], but I can do that! Do you want me to? Sure! Yeah, of course. I’m sure she’ll love it,” he said, smiling at the sweet exchange.

With Wicked hitting theaters on November 22, the excitement surrounding the film and Ariana’s portrayal of Glinda continues to build. It’s clear that, for Grande, this role is more than just another part—it’s an opportunity to prove her depth as an artist and to push past the perceptions that fans and critics may have had about her.

The road to Wicked has been long and full of self-reflection, but Ariana is ready to show the world that she’s more than capable of taking on this magical challenge.