Ariana Grande opened up about her emotional connection to her role in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked in a recent interview with the BBC.
The 31-year-old singer revealed how she drew from her personal experiences of loss while portraying the character of Galinda Upland in the highly anticipated movie.
Grande, who has faced personal tragedies such as the 2017 Manchester bombing at her concert and the death of her former partner Mac Miller, shared how the role in Wicked felt like a “homecoming” for her.
The Grammy Award winner expressed gratitude for being able to spend time with the music that has always brought her comfort.
Joining Grande in the film is Cynthia Erivo, who plays the role of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.
The two actresses formed a close bond while working on the project, with Erivo describing her role as “a real honor” and acknowledging the original stage actors, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, as the “architects” of their characters.
The themes of acceptance and embracing diversity in Wicked resonate with both Grande and Erivo, who have drawn on their own experiences to bring depth to their performances.
The film’s director, Jon M Chu, emphasized the relevance of the story’s central themes in today’s world, noting how the cast made themselves emotionally available during filming.
With a stellar cast that includes Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, Jeff Goldblum, and Jonathan Bailey, Wicked is set to captivate audiences with its timeless story and powerful messages.
