With a slew of film and stage credits on their respective resumes, GRAMMY Award-winning songstresses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were undoubtedly the perfect picks to bring the TONY Award-winning musical, ‘Wicked,’ to life via a big screen adaptation. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie will see the ladies portray Glinda and Elphaba respectively.
While their fans continue to celebrate the news, the pair have found the ultimate support in TONY Award-winning actresses Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel – the original duo to portray Glinda and Elphaba in the Broadway version of ‘Wicked.’
Hop inside to see how they reacted to news of Grande and Erivo’s casting.
I’m not sure if I’ve ever been this proud. From the very first day I met you, you were destined for this role. Congratulations @ArianaGrande! The best Glinda you will be with Cynthia by your side 💗💚 I love you!! 🧚♀️👑🪄 @WICKED_Musical #wicked pic.twitter.com/yUnboWPcVW
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) November 5, 2021
Just a day after the announcement broke, Chenoweth took to Twitter to congratulate Grande (as seen above). When later quizzed about the news during an interview with ‘USA Today,’ the 53-year-old expounded on her elation.
“Obviously, they’re going to bring their strong vocals. But what I love seeing is the diversity. I’m going to bring that up because it’s very important that we we have two girls — both are wicked, and both are good. And I like that we have Cynthia, who is a powerhouse and will act the role. Of course, she’s going to sing it like nobody’s business, but she’s going to really put us there.
And I think Ariana, because I’ve known her so long, is Glinda she’s not going to be acting. And she can sing her face off. So at the center of it, that’s the love story, the two women. And I personally feel that they got it right.”
*****
Her excitement echoed that of Menzel’s.
Congrats to two amazing women. May it change your lives for the better forever and ever as it has for us. So much love. https://t.co/2avPFA9OBk
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) November 5, 2021
The live-action ‘Wicked’ – the conceptual prequel to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ – has yet to have an official release date attached.
![Chart Check [Hot 100]: 'Defying Gravity' - The Week's BIGGEST-Selling New Song - Is Now Cynthia Erivo's Highest-Charting Hit](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cynthia-erivo-thatgrapejuice-hot-100-billboard-200-gravity-defying-wicked-soundtrack-464x260.webp "Chart Check [Hot 100]: 'Defying Gravity' - The Week's BIGGEST-Selling New Song - Is Now Cynthia Erivo's Highest-Charting Hit.")
Anyone who watched Emerald City, this is justice for what happened to her in that show.