<p id=”par-1_61″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/ariana-grande/”>Ariana Grande</a> faced a decades-long road in pursuit of achieving her dream role in the film adaptation of the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-already-sampled-wicked-1-songs.html/?swcfpc=1″>Broadway play, <em>Wicked</em></a>. She always felt a kinship to the story of two very different people who became close friends and created change. Grande’s determination allowed her the chance to play a key role in a story so dear to her heart.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-ariana-grande-pursued-wicked-producers-for-a-decade”>Ariana Grande pursued ‘Wicked’ producers for a decade</h2>
<p id=”par-2_29″>Ariana Grande began pursuing a role in the film production of <em>Wicked</em> in 2013. She auditioned time and again for the role, never giving up on her <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/young-ariana-grande-manifested-more-wicked-role-fans-say.html/?swcfpc=1″>childhood dream</a>.</p>
<p id=”par-3_55″>In an interview with <a href=”https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/ariana-grande-earn-role-wicked-movie-1235817820/”>Billboard</a>, Grande revealed that she had to earn her place at <em>Wicked</em>‘s table. With a history of selling millions of records and high-grossing concert tours in her rearview mirror, it appeared unlikely she would have to work hard to get the role, but that is quite the opposite of what occurred.</p>
<p id=”par-4_55″>“People sometimes say to me, ‘You had to audition?’ Of course, are you out of your gourd?” she explained. “It’s <em>Wicked</em>! And it requires a totally different skill set than people know me for and have ever seen me do anything like,” she explained. “It’s <em>Wicked</em>! That’s the most respectful thing! It has to be earned, period!”</p>
<p id=”par-5_31″>“It was 10 years of being like, ‘Knock, knock, any developments? Is there an audition coming this year, or next year? I would like to start preparing today,’” she told <a href=”https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/inside-wicked-with-ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo?srsltid=AfmBOookqs0NZPSG10AzP8kzQvFN45YmqNfgaYAa9eLU_Koe_N1DnBPV” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Vanity Fair</a>.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-ariana-grande-admits-her-first-day-on-the-wicked-set-was-the-most-emotional-of-my-life”>Ariana Grande admits her first day on the ‘Wicked’ set was the ‘most emotional of my life’</h2>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Ariana Grande on Emotional First Day on Set of ‘Wicked’ and Chemistry with Cynthia Erivo” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/AVGV1eWCj5A?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<p id=”par-6_29″>During an appearance on the 2024 Met Gala red carpet, Ariana Grande spoke to <a href=”https://variety.com/2024/film/news/ariana-grande-first-day-wicked-set-cynthia-erivo-1235993715/”>Variety</a> about <em>Wicked</em>. She called her first day the most emotional of her life. </p>
<p id=”par-7_38″>“My first day on set for <em>Wicked</em> was the most emotional day of my life,” Grande recalled. “All I remember was holding hands with<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/wicked-cynthia-erivo-powerful-reason-shaved-head-play-elphaba.html/”> [co-star] Cynthia [Erivo] </a>and Jon [Chu] and crying. And [Jon] saying, ‘Welcome to <em>Wicked</em>.’”</p>
<p id=”par-8_42″>In the same interview, Erivo said of Grande, “[Ariana] is so open and generous with her performance that it is so easy to be in a scene with her. You look at her eyes and you know she is telling the truth.”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-why-does-ariana-grande-love-wicked”>Why does Ariana Grande love ‘Wicked’?</h2>
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<iframe loading=”lazy” title=”Ariana Grande Discusses the WICKED Movie (SPOILER FREE) | Sentimental Men Podcast” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/deWzzkWN0mk?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
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<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-cynthia-erivo-break-down-wicked-set-most-difficult-day-filming.html/”>
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Break Down on ‘Wicked’ Set After ‘Most Difficult’ Day of Filming </a>
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<p id=”par-9_25″>Ariana Grande spoke of her love for <em>Wicked</em> on the podcast <em>Sentimental Men</em>. She said the musical entered her life when she was 10. </p>
<p id=”par-10_42″>She met Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth after bidding on a backstage tour after the Broadway show’s performance. Menzel gifted Grande a green bracelet, and Chenoweth gave the future pop star a wand. Grande reflected on the moment, calling it “full circle.”</p>
<p id=”par-11_34″>Grande added that the <em>Wicked</em> soundtrack provided her “love and comfort” for many years. During the podcast, she called the music her “safe space” which calmed her when she was nervous about something. </p>
<p id=”par-12_25″>To remember the little girl who loved the show so much, Ariana Grande is credited by her real name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the film’s credits.</p>
<p id=”par-13_18″><em>Wicked: Part One</em> is in theaters on Nov. 22. <em>Wicked: Part Two</em> is slated to be released on Nov. 26, 2025.</p>