Ariana Grande’s childhood dream of starring in Wicked is about to come true. The 31-year-old singer and actress, who idolized the role of Glinda since meeting original star Kristin Chenoweth at age 10, will bring her “dream role” to life alongside British actress Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Set to release on November 22, Wicked has seen its fair share of challenges, from production delays to off-screen drama that spilled into the tabloids. Star takes a closer look at the highly anticipated film adaptation.
Fast Friends and Set Romance Drama
They were strangers when Grande and Erivo signed on to play the iconic duo of Glinda and Elphaba. But their chemistry quickly blossomed, with the two becoming inseparable. “They think of themselves as sisters,” says an insider. The actresses even shopped in character, with Grande choosing Glinda’s signature pink and Erivo leaning into Elphaba’s darker shades.
However, the real buzz came not from this on-set friendship but from Grande’s romantic life. While filming in London, Grande quietly split from her husband, Dalton Gomez. Soon after, rumors surfaced that she was romantically involved with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, who plays Munchkin Boq. Slater’s sudden divorce filing from his wife, Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a young son, intensified the speculation. While fans reacted with shock, insiders maintain that the romance didn’t disrupt filming. “It was professional on set,” a source notes.
Grande later defended Slater in Vanity Fair, refuting claims that he deserted his family. “No one tries harder to be there for the people he loves,” she said.
Health Rumors and Fan Backlash
Grande has also faced speculation about her health and appearance, with fans questioning if she’s had plastic surgery. She clarified that aside from fillers and Botox—stopped four years ago—her look remains natural. On set, she and Erivo worked with trainers to keep up the energy for the demanding roles.
Meanwhile, Erivo faced her criticism when fans objected to her portrayal of Elphaba on the movie’s poster, which revealed her full face rather than the traditional, shadowed look. “I am a real-life human being,” Erivo responded, asserting her identity beyond the character.
Despite the controversies, Wicked is on track to dazzle audiences with emotional live vocals and dedicated performances from its leads. Director Jon M. Chu promises fans a cinematic experience worth the wait, with cast and crew “weeping after takes” from the sheer intensity of the music and story.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.