Sometimes, a little magic makes all the difference. For Ariana Grande, it was donning Glinda’s sparkling gown on the set of ‘Wicked’ that reignited her passion for music—a passion she’d quietly tucked away, unsure if she’d ever return to the recording studio. Now, she’s lifting the curtain on her creative rebirth, from nearly quitting music to embracing a new chapter inspired by the world of Oz.
A Secret Crisis: Ariana’s Hidden Doubts
After the whirlwind success of her 2020 album “Positions,” Ariana Grande found herself at a crossroads. The globally adored pop star confessed that, behind the confetti and chart-toppers, she felt no desire to create a follow-up album. The drive just wasn’t there. “I didn’t think I was going to make an album ever again when I left for London. That was kind of my secret,” she revealed during her candid appearance on “Shut Up Evan” with Evan Ross Katz.
Grande admitted her relationship to making music was shaken. “[Playing Glinda] has done so much for Ariana. It has totally rearranged everything about my relationship to creating, you know.” She described a version of herself who’d reached a creative standstill, unsure whether her days crafting new tracks were behind her.
Finding Inspiration on the Emerald City Set
What turned the tide? Her role as Glinda in the blockbuster adaptation of ‘Wicked.’ Stepping into the character’s iconic shoes (sparkly and probably a nightmare to clean), Ariana found herself transformed. “I learned a lot from her as a character who learns so much over the course of these two films and has to look at herself in the mirror constantly and sort of peel away at the pieces of her that don’t feel aligned.” The process, she says, forced her into a parallel journey of self-discovery, mirroring Glinda’s internal evolution.
But it wasn’t just about discovering fresh layers as an actress. Ariana describes the experience as a “genuine spark, like a reconnection and inspiration.” She mused, “Maybe I missed it. Maybe it’s as simple as I missed it. But I do feel like you have to miss things in order to learn to become better for them.” That pang of longing, she believes, taught her to appreciate—and reignite—her creative drive. “It was an inspired moment and I had to write an album and I had to do it.”
From Reluctance to Rebirth: The Album and the Stage
Ariana’s creative reboot didn’t just stop at a new album. Although she initially brushed off the idea of touring, the urge to bring the music to life on stage became irresistible. “I wasn’t planning a tour, but I would have been sad if I didn’t get to sing the album live. Something inside is saying I have to do it.” The feeling was new, a creative call she found impossible to ignore.
She credits the release of the deluxe edition of her album for nudging her closer to the stage. “I really felt like I’m going to be really sad if I don’t sing this album live. I love this album, and I need to sing it.” She sees the live experience as a special gift for both herself and her fans, a chance to “re-imagine my relationship to touring in this baby step way.” But don’t get used to it too quickly: “This probably won’t happen for a long time again after this one.”
Healing and Honesty: Ariana’s Next Act
Ariana’s comeback isn’t just a promotional whirlwind—it’s a healing process. She shared, “It’ll heal something, and it’ll be really beautiful the same way that this album has. I think it’ll be a nice next step, and I think it’ll be so fun to see the fans. So that’s how it happened and why it happened.”
If there’s a lesson tucked behind the sequins, it’s the value of creative honesty and the weird, wonderful detours that can lead us home. Grande’s journey from almost quitting to standing in front of fans once more is a testament to embracing change, following inspiration wherever it goes—and sometimes, letting a little Broadway magic back into your life when you least expect it.
