Some roles arrive at the perfect moment, while others follow us for years before finally stepping into the light. For Ariana Grande, Glinda was both. What began as a childhood fascination with a sparkling, slightly chaotic good witch grew into one of the most defining experiences of her career. With the second chapter of Wicked approaching, she has started to reflect on what this journey has meant for her – and why saying goodbye feels surprisingly emotional.
A lifelong connection to Glinda
Ariana Grande first discovered Wicked long before she ever imagined stepping into Glinda’s shoes. She was just ten when she watched Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth lead the original Broadway production, a memory she recalls with almost childlike awe. It was one of those formative theatre moments that stay with you, the kind that makes you sit up straighter in your seat and whisper to yourself, I want to be part of this world one day.
Years later, when she was cast in the film adaptation, the role carried the weight of that early dream. Glinda had always represented a certain ideal: optimism, ambition, a desire to shine. But she also represented something far more human – insecurity, flaws, and the quiet fear of not quite living up to expectations. Speaking about the character, director Jon M. Chu shared a sentiment many fans recognise: we may think we want to be Elphaba, the bold rebel, yet most of us are far closer to Glinda, trying our best but often tripping over our own imperfections.
From childhood dream to transformative role
The first Wicked film, which followed the storyline of the original musical’s first act, ended on a heartbreaking note: the separation of Glinda and Elphaba, two unlikely friends bound by circumstance and torn apart by ambition and political forces beyond their control. As audiences anticipate the second part, questions hang in the air. Will Glinda become a puppet for those in power, as her story hints? Or will she find the courage to challenge the system, following the example left by her green-skinned friend?
During a visit to Paris to present the new film, Ariana appeared on the red carpet in a striking pink gown – a nod to Glinda without being a costume. In interviews that day, she spoke openly about how playing this role reshaped her, describing it not simply as a job but as an experience that “changed” her life. For someone who has navigated fame from a young age, the character’s journey seems to have given her both distance and clarity about her own.
There is something deeply relatable in that. Many of us have had moments where we realised that a version of ourselves – polished, eager, determined to please – no longer fits quite right. Glinda’s arc taps into that tension, and Ariana’s performance appears to channel it with sincerity.
What comes next for Glinda?
The anticipation around the sequel is not just about concluding a story but about discovering which path Glinda chooses. Does she cling to the comfort of status and expectations, or does she risk everything by seeking her own truth? It is a question that resonates beyond Oz, touching on the choices we all face at some point.
Fans who watched the first film, which surpassed an impressive global box office milestone, are eager to see how the filmmakers handle the emotional and moral complexity of Glinda’s future. Ariana herself has hinted that this chapter demanded a depth she had not anticipated when she first auditioned. It required looking inward, examining ambition, loyalty and the blurry line between good intentions and unintentional harm.
A farewell coloured with gratitude
As Ariana prepares to close this chapter, there is an unmistakable sense of gratitude in her words. She talks about Glinda not as a part she played, but as someone who accompanied her through a transformative period – a guide, a mirror and sometimes a challenge. It is rare to hear an actor describe a role with such tenderness, but perhaps that is what happens when a childhood dream finally meets adulthood.
For audiences, Wicked: For Good promises more than a continuation of a beloved story. It offers a moment to reflect on how we grow, how we change and how the people we admire – fictional or not – can reveal parts of ourselves we did not expect.
Ariana Grande may be stepping away from Glinda, but it is clear that Glinda will not be stepping away from her anytime soon.
