Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo opened up about all things Wicked in a new interview with Variety.
During the conversation, Ariana shed light on her belief that Glinda is possibly queer in the musical movie. It’s a concept that both the author of the source material and the film’s scriptwriter have addressed in recent weeks.
According to Ariana, we’ll learn even more in the upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good.
The pop star also addressed changes to her voice to bring the bubbly character to life. She weighed in on if the adjustments were something that would stay with her long term.
Cynthia also discussed making the iconic song “Defying Gravity” her own.
The costars even addressed their salaries for the movies following disproven rumors that Ariana was paid more.
Cynthia Erivo on making “Defying Gravity” her own song…
“I kept trying something, and eventually, something felt like me. What’s the guttural cry that I would make? That was the thing that came out,” Cynthia said about finding a way to make the iconic song her own.
However, Ariana was quick to chime in with a correction: “You say you kept trying. But I was there, and I think it was maybe the second or third time. It was right under the surface, waiting to come out. You just needed that green light. You didn’t keep trying. No, that was yours.”
Ariana Grande on her her vocal approach to playing Glinda…
“Maybe people underestimate how long we spent finding and disappearing into these women. So when certain inflections or mannerisms take time to melt away, sometimes people poke fun. But we had a job to do, and we had things to get lost in — because that’s what the piece required,” Ariana said about any lingering changes to her voice, which she adapted to play her character.
She added, “I think that might stay.”
“Galinda required a lot of vocal work for me. Certain things maybe won’t melt away. Some will, but I’m really grateful for the pieces that will stay with us forever. What a beautiful thing to be left with, and to feel the ghost of every day.”
On Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo receiving equal pay….
“This is a modern production. This is what Hollywood should reflect. These are co-CEOs of Wicked, Inc,” director Jon M. Chu said in response to the rumors that the costars were paid different salaries for the movie.
On reading through their contracts together…
“We both went through it — ‘What number are we doing? How do you feel about that?’ We were really f-cking honest. And that’s really rare. People don’t do that,” Cynthia said about working with her costar to keep things equal.
Ariana Grande on Glinda’s sexuality and loving feelings for Elphaba, which will be explored in For Good…
“I think she’s a person who loves so much, and I do think that it goes beyond gender, and I think that’s a common theme in Oz,” Ariana said when asked to clarify her belief that Glinda was “a bit queer.”
She continued, saying, “I also think that the ways in which she loves Elphaba so much, and that forgiveness and that unconditional love that they share — I think they’re in love with each other. I know, yes, it’s platonic…”
“But we’ll talk about it more in depth in movie two,” she concluded, with the outlet noting that “cuts herself off before she can say too much.”
