‘Defines Who She Is’
The star discussed prepping for dream role and her deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine in a new podcast
Ariana Grande recently spoke with Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast, where she opened up about preparing for her dream role as Glinda in Wicked and spilled a little bit of tea regarding a new, upcoming deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine and Glinda’s new song in Wicked’s second installment, Wicked: For Good. The sequel is scheduled for release on Nov. 21.
During the podcast, Grande discussed her dream role as Glinda, saying she began prepping for it before she even had the part. “I started acting lessons a year before I even knew when the auditions were happening,” she said. “I wanted to make sure I was ready. Transforming my voice to sing Glinda’s soprano parts took months. Pop singing and musical theater are so different. I had to retrain my muscles and reframe how I approached every note.”
Once she was cast, she acknowledged playing Glinda came with extra responsibility. “From the moment it was announced, I realized this role would live with me forever. It’s an honor, but it also comes with so much weight,” she said. “I wanted to do it justice. Glinda isn’t just a character to me — she’s a symbol of growth and love, and I wanted to give her everything I had.”
Grande also dished a bit about what to expect from Glinda’s new song written by composer Stephen Schwartz, which will be featured in the sequel, Wicked: For Good. “It’s a pivotal moment in Glinda’s journey,” Grande revealed during the podcast. “It shows a side of her we’ve never seen before. In the stage show, this transformation happens offstage. But in the movie, we get to see her make the decision that defines who she is. It’s a privilege to sing this song and be the first Glinda to bring it to life.”
She also imparted a bit of news on the upcoming deluxe version of Eternal Sunshine, saying the new version is already “in the can” and will feature a few new songs. Grande previously confirmed the existence of a deluxe edition (she’s already released Slightly Deluxe and Slightly Deluxe and Also Live versions).
“It’s a very special project,” Grande said on the podcast. “I’m out there so much right now. I want to let my children miss me for two seconds. I’m excited to surprise them with it at some point, but I’m still mulling over the timing in my head. It’s not the end of ‘Peaches’ just yet, but she’s going in the closet for a minute.”