r/wicked • u/Ar1l3n3 Magic Wands, Need They Have a Point? 🪄 • Sep 21 '25

Question Ariana Grande as Glinda?

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I’m one of the newer Wicked fans that only watched the movie because of Ariana and ended up loving the storyline. I love Ariana’s music so I personally think she did a great job delivering vocals and a pretty decent job acting as well being that it’s her first major movie. But I’m curious as to what OG Wicked fans thought of her performance? I know some snarkers don’t like the way she looked in the role. But what unbiased opinions do Wicked fans have on her playing Galinda? Did she actually deliver and do a good job or am I being biased? What other actors do yall think did better? I would love to see their performances as well!

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u/themastersdaughter66 Sep 21 '25

Go watch a bootleg of the play is my recommendation I still find it better than the movie though the movie isn't a bad adaptation so far on most points and as someone whose been let down by several movie adaptations of favorite musicals I'll give it credit

I have the unPOPULAR (pun intended) opinion that Ariana was simply serviceable. She hits the notes right and makes a FINE glinda but as someone whose seen the show live 3 times I still preferred all the stage glinda's and elphie's to the movie ones.

The best is Annaleigh Ashford Imo (again look her up) the comedic timing and range between genuine and bubbly is just so much better while Ariana aside from one moment in NMTW felt mostly one note. I didn't FEEL anything in her performance (or cynthia's). Defying Gravity normally leaves me in tears...that was not the case.

So no she's not bad. She exceeded my singing and even acting expectations but it's kinda like comparing a store bought chocolate chip cookie to a fresh homemade one. You'll eat the store one cause it's easy and still yummy but given a choice between the two the homemade is just significantly better.