Pop icon Ariana Grande recently shared a heartfelt moment with Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth at the premiere of the highly anticipated Wicked film. Grande, who stars as Glinda the Good Witch in the movie adaptation of the beloved musical, admitted to feeling “nervous” as she sat beside Chenoweth—the original Glinda from the Broadway production—during one of the film’s first screenings.
A Lifelong Mentorship and Full-Circle Moment
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Chenoweth recounted the emotional experience of watching the movie alongside Grande, whom she has mentored since the singer was just 10 years old.
“It’s like a love letter to our show, it’s a love letter to Broadway,” Chenoweth shared. “I sat there with Ariana at the premiere holding her hand. I’ve known her since she was 10, she came to my dressing room and said, ‘I wanna play Glinda,’ and I said, ‘You will!’”
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Seeking Approval and Emotional Reactions
The deep bond between the two stars was fully on display as Chenoweth recalled how Grande sought her validation immediately after the credits rolled.
“She paid beautiful homage to my work but made it her own, too. Very much so. She looked at me, we were both crying, and she said, ‘Are you proud of me?’ I lost my mind. ‘What do you mean?’ I said, ‘I’m so proud of you!’”
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Earning the Role Through Rigorous Auditions
Known for her powerhouse pop vocals, Grande has been candid about undergoing a rigorous audition process for the role of Glinda, pushing back against assumptions that her fame guaranteed her a spot in the cast. Speaking on the Sentimental Men podcast, she emphasized the importance of earning her place in the iconic production.
“Of course I had to audition. It’s Wicked! It requires a totally different skill set than people know me for,” Grande explained. “That’s the most respectful thing—it has to be earned.” She also acknowledged the challenges of stepping into such a revered role while carrying a heavily established public persona: “When you have this caricatured persona that’s out there and people know you very well as this one thing… is this person going to be able to erase that? This isn’t about me.”
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Directed by Jon M. Chu, the Wicked film adaptation honors the musical’s legacy while introducing a fresh interpretation to a new generation. Bolstered by Grande’s dedication and Chenoweth’s unwavering support, the film stands as a celebration of the magical world of Oz
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