Ariana Grande Loves Being In A 'Beautiful Coven'
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This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley. The musical Wicked is a top contender at this year's Academy Awards, with 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for my guest today, Ariana Grande. Wicked has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, introducing new layers of the story of Oz that really challenge audiences to look beyond surface appearances and question preconceived notions of good and evil. Ariana Grande stars as the privileged and popular Galinda, who develops a friendship with Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, born with green skin and ostracized by society. As a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the film is set years before Dorothy arrives in Oz, and it charts the transformations of Elphaba into the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda into Glinda the Good. Here's Grande, as Galinda, singing Popular, a song that gives insights into her character.
Elfie, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project. Oh, you really don't have to do that. I know. That's what makes me so nice. Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I And let's face it, right? Who isn't? Less fortunate than I My tender heart tends to start to bleed And when someone needs a makeover I simply have to take over I know, I know Exactly What they need And even in your case Though it's the toughest case I've yet to face Don't worry, I'm determined to succeed Follow my lead And yes, indeed, you I'll show you what shoes to wear, how to fix your hair, everything that really counts to be popular. I'll help you be popular. You'll hang with the right cohorts. You'll be good at sports. Know the slang you've got to know.
So let's start, cause you've got an awfully long way to go.
Ariana Grande says that from the moment she first saw the musical on Broadway at 10 years old, her life was divided into two chapters, before Wicked and after. True. This is true.
This is very true.
Ariana Grande, welcome to Fresh Air.
Thank you, Tanya, for having me. Thank you so much.
You know, this movie has become a cultural phenomenon. And it's so interesting how the subtext really speaks to the time period that we're in. It's a timeless story, but it also is very timely. Yeah, very timely. You first saw Wicked on Broadway at 10?
Yes, I was 10 years old and I got to see the original Broadway cast with Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel and Norbert Leo Butz and Chris Fitzgerald. And it was very life changing.
What was it about Wicked? Because I know that you were somewhat of a theater kid. You were seeing lots of musicals, but this one in particular really spoke to you.
Yes. I mean, I think, you know, I was so young. Of course, I loved the music. I loved the comedy. I remember Glinda's impact on the audience and that infectious laughter and how it made me feel and everyone around me feel. I think that was just like so impactful, but also the themes of sisterhood. I don't think I ever saw a show or anything at that point that revolved around these two women who are so different, learning each other and really falling in love with each other through their differences and kind of Learning how to protect and accept and celebrate each other, even when it meant that they disagreed. It was just kind of like this embodiment of true unconditional love and friendship in a way that I hadn't seen portrayed in a story before. And I think it really spoke to me.
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