Ariana Grande’s Emotional Moment with Kristin Chenoweth at Wicked Premiere
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 being “nervous” as she sat beside Chenoweth, the original Glinda from the Broadway production, during one of the film’s first screenings.
During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Chenoweth recounted the emotional experience of watching the movie with 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!’”
The bond between the two stars was palpable, with Chenoweth recalling how Grande sought her approval after the screening.
“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!’”
Grande, known for her powerhouse vocals and pop hits, has been candid about the rigorous audition process she underwent for the role of Glinda, pushing back against assumptions that her celebrity status guaranteed her the part. Speaking on the Sentimental Men podcast, she emphasized the significance 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 acknowledged the challenges of stepping into such a revered role, especially given her 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.”
The upcoming Wicked film, directed by Jon M. Chu, promises to be a tribute to the musical’s legacy, blending familiar elements with fresh interpretations. For Grande and Chenoweth, the premiere was more than a movie—it was a celebration of the musical that has enchanted audiences for decades.
With Grande’s heartfelt dedication and Chenoweth’s unwavering support, Wicked is shaping up to be a magical cinematic experience that honors its Broadway roots while introducing a new generation to the land of Oz. The film is set to debut in 2024, and fans are eagerly awaiting their chance to see Grande bring Glinda to life on the big screen.
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