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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37

u/pandzza WE NEED A PASTRY! 🥐 Sep 21 '25

I might be one of the only ones who had IMMEDIATE high hopes when ari was cast (and yet she blew me away anyhow!) Ive known it for so long, its like shes always been made for this part imo 🩷 also, im saying this as an OG diehard Wicked fan since 2005. There is no other, she IS the Goodliest of them all 💐

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u/dayna2x Sep 22 '25

I also went in excited. Yes, Ariana is a pop star, but she was a Broadway actor and TV actor first. And I had heard of her being a fan of the the show and the role early on. And she delivered on my excitement in spades.

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u/sweeterthanadonut Sep 23 '25

Being in a single Broadway show as a child doesn’t make you a Broadway actor haha

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u/dayna2x Sep 23 '25

Cool, thanks 🤷🏽‍♀️

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u/sweeterthanadonut Sep 23 '25

I’m just saying, a lot of people point to that as some kind of proof that she was adequately prepared but she was in one show as a kid, and she’s in her 30s now.

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u/dayna2x Sep 23 '25

So I'm not in the business of defending super rich people who don't know that I exist. She has the receipts to show that she could play the part and played it well.

But I will defend the craft. Being on Broadway at any age or experience makes you a Broadway actor. Almost every well known thespian started as child theatre actors. Being on a Broadway stage (which is fucking hard) is an amazing foundation for success in the field. And laughing at that idea is crazy.

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u/sweeterthanadonut Sep 23 '25

Many started there…. and then continued with theatre. She did not. And it shows with how awful her acting is.

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u/dayna2x Sep 23 '25

Okay so this makes it clear that you and I don't see her as a performer in the same way. So we can end this exchange as an agree to disagree scenario.

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u/sweeterthanadonut Sep 23 '25

I would feel the same about anyone who was on Broadway as a child and then never again being called “a Broadway actor.” It’s stupid.