Ariana Grande has shared how personal experiences of loss shaped her portrayal of Glinda in the upcoming film adaptation of the musical Wicked.
Grande, 31, who has faced tragedies such as the Manchester bombing in 2017 and the death of her former partner Mac Miller, said the role felt like “a homecoming” as the Broadway show was one of the first she saw as a child.
The film, which explores the Wizard of Oz universe through the story of two witches, also stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba.
The pair spoke of creating a supportive bond to bring authenticity to their characters’ evolving relationship from friends to adversaries.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film features an all-star cast, including Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Bailey.
The cast reflected on the relevance of Wicked’s themes of diversity, self-identity, and individuality in today’s world.
Chu described the film as deeply personal, drawing parallels between the story’s emotional stakes and real-life experiences shared by the cast during production.
Wicked, a global stage phenomenon since 2003, is now reimagined for the big screen, promising to resonate with audiences anew.
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