Ariana Grande Shares Why She Decided to Be Credited Under Her Full Name, “Ariana Grande-Butera,” in Upcoming “Wicked” film adaptation.
The 31-year-old pop star plays Glinda the Good Witch in the first part of the two-film series releasing in theaters on November 22.
Although known professionally as “Ariana Grande”, the singer surprised audiences at an early screening of “Wicked” by using her full name in the credits. In a recent interview With Australian reporter Justin Hill, Grande explained that using her “little girl name” is a way to honor her deep connection with music.
“Technically, it’s my little girl’s name,” Grande explained. “It felt like a homecoming for me. I feel like I have come home in many ways by learning from Glinda and Elphaba. That’s the name I came up with when I first watched ‘Wicked’ when I was 10, and it seemed like a beautiful way to honor that moment. “It felt like a full circle.”
Grande watched “Wicked” for the first time two years after her parents, Joan Grande and Edward Butera, separated. At an auction for Broadway Cares, Joan won a backstage trip for Ariana, where they met original cast members Norbert Leo Butz, Idina Menzel, and Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the original Broadway productionCelebrated Grande’s casting in 2021 By sharing an old picture from their backstage meeting.
“From the moment we first met, I knew you were made for this role,” Chenoweth, 56, wrote. Instagram“Congratulations @ArianaGrande! You will be the most amazing Glinda, especially with @cinthiaerivo by your side. 💗💚I love you!! “
Directed by “Crazy Rich Asians” filmmaker Jon M. Chu, “Wicked” stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Dr. Also stars Peter Dinklage as Dillamond.
Grande spoke warmly about her first meeting with Chenoweth during an event in June “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” “Kristin invited me into her dressing room and we spent a lot of time together,” he recalled. “Her dog peed on the couch, and we cleaned it up together. It was very magical.”
Chenoweth gave Grande a witch’s wand and “magical shower gel”, which Grande still treasures. “I dip my little pinky in it every day,” she said, “and I really think it’s magical.”
Grande’s love of “Wicked” is well documented. In 2011, she posted a tweet expressing her dream of playing Glinda: Loved watching “Wicked” again… Amazing production! I realized again how bad I want to play Glinda at some point in my life! #Dreamroll.”
They also proved their “Wicked” superfan status when they performed “The Wizard and I” NBC’s “Wicked” 15th anniversary special In 2018.
Despite her passion and singing talent, Grande admitted that playing Glinda was not easy. In an interview on November 1 “Sentimental Man” PodcastHe called the audition process a “challenge”.
“Anything on this scale has to be earned,” she said. “It’s fun to redefine people’s perceptions and prove what I can provide. I know why people might doubt me based on what they know about me, but I’ve worked hard for this.
The film “Wicked” will be released on November 22, with the second part scheduled to release on November 21, 2025.
