“Absolutely not”: Ariana Grande rejected changing the songs in Wicked to better suit her musical style

Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda in the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Wicked”, made it clear that the essence of the musical should remain intact. The singer and actress firmly rejected the proposal to modify the iconic number “Popular” to make it more modern and aligned with trends like hip-hop.

Stephen Schwartz, composer of the original 2003 Broadway musical, had suggested "refreshing" the song with a more contemporary approach. However, Grande strongly opposed. "I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda," the star expressed, defending the authenticity of the character.

Ariana Grande stood firm and initially did not want to change anything in "Wicked"

Schwartz, in recent interviews, praised Grande's stance, highlighting her commitment to the spirit of the work. Although the singer added small personal details to the performance, these were always grounded in Glinda's sparkling and bubbly character. "Ariana literally worked magic in every note. She remained faithful to the character while adding her own touch," commented the composer.

The creative process was not without challenges. Grande initially hesitated at a proposed extension for the end of the song, considering that it could alter the dynamics of the number. However, after Schwartz explained to him that this modification fit with the character's evolution, he ended up embracing it enthusiastically.

"Schwartz recalled, 'She went from saying 'no, thank you' to embodying the role as if she was born to do it. It was almost like a spell.' Grande's dedication was also evident in the small tributes she paid to the original Broadway Glinda, played by Kristin Chenoweth. Christopher Scott, the film's choreographer, highlighted how Ariana included subtle movements that connected her version of the character with Chenoweth's."

Ariana Grande's total commitment to her role in "Wicked"

Director Jon M. Chu admitted that he initially had doubts about choosing a pop star like Grande for such an iconic role. However, he was impressed by her transformation during the audition and rehearsal process. "She appeared completely transformed into Glinda. She walked differently, talked differently, she even seemed to float. She won this role with pure effort and charm," Chu said.

With this interpretation, Ariana Grande demonstrates that Glinda can be popular, but never superficial. The actress and singer not only honors the essence of the character, but also reaffirms that classics do not need to be modernized to shine. "Wicked" promises to be a faithful and magical experience for fans.