Ariana Grande Explains Why She Changed Her Voice for Glinda in Wicked

Ariana Grande knows the voice is hers.

Even if it does sound a little different. Indeed, to play Glinda the Good Witch opposite Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, the “The Boy is Mine” singer worked really hard to dive deep into her character. And a big part of that was altering the natural pitch of her voice.

“It was really important to erase as much of myself as possible,” Ariana told The New York Times in an interview published Nov. 6, “so that they could just be looking at Glinda.”

That higher Glinda octave has stayed with her in the months since filming ended. And she’s been quick to shut down any criticism over her current sound.

“There is a part of the world that isn’t familiar with what it takes to transform your voice,” Ariana told Vanity Fair in September, “whether it’s singing or taking on a different dialect for a role or doing a character voice for something.” 

“When it’s a male actor that does it, it’s acclaimed,” the 31-year-old continued. “There are definitely jokes that are made as well, but it’s always after being led with praise: ‘Oh, wow, he was so lost in the role.’ And that’s just a part of the job, really.”

But Ari—who met boyfriend Ethan Slater on the Wicked set—isn’t letting the naysayers get her down. After all, she sees her voice as proof of how much she gave to the role she’s dreamed of since she was a child. 

“It’s something that I’m just really proud of,” she shared of her voice. “Part of why I did want to engage [with critics] is because I am really proud of my hard work and of the fact that I did give 100 percent of myself, including my physicality, to this role. I am proud of that, so I wanted to protect it.”

And while Ariana’s voice may be noticeably different for the film, it’s not the only alteration she made. 

For the film—which also stars Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh and lands in theaters Nov. 22—the “Positions” singer is credited with her full name Ariana Grande-Butera. 

“This experience was such a homecoming for me," Ariana said in a Nov. 4 clip of The Streaming Service with Justin Hill. "I feel like I came home to myself in a lot of ways through what I learned from Glinda, from Elphaba and, you know, that was my name when I went to see the show when I was 10 years old—and it felt like a really lovely way of honoring that."

Keep reading to see more of Ariana over the years.

(E! and Universal are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) 

Ariana Grande dazzled in a salmon pink dress at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards. This look made her vibrant red hair pop!

The Sam & Cat star stunned in a charming white mini-dress at the 2011 Grammy Awards. She paired her simple, yet striking outfit with sparkly gold heels and dainty jewelry pieces.

Looking like a modern-day Jessica Rabbit with her blinding Dolce & Gabbana red dress, Ariana shimmered at the 2013 American Music Awards.

Serving fans retro charm in her custom Kenley Collins dress, the Scream Queens actress looked perfectly polished at the 2013 Style Awards.

The "Dangerous Woman" singer made a splash at the 2014 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. Matching the orange carpet, Grande wore a vibrant mini-dress and pairs it with white pumps and a whimsical clutch.

Ariana oozed with old Hollywood glamour at the 2014 American Music Awards. She opted for a floor-length black lace gown from MT Costello.

Wearing a white gown with silver lamé mesh at the 2015 Grammy Awards, Ariana shined as bright as the flashing lights on the red carpet.

Beaming in a floral beaded, peplum mini-dress at the 2015 American Music Awards, Ariana stunned in this statement-making piece from Giambattista Valli.

Ariana made a bold fashion choice wearing an all-white ensemble at KISS FM in 2015. While most are scared to get an outfit like that dirty, the Nickelodeon alum wasn't afraid to take that risk! 

Ditching the usual dress at the 2016 American Music Awards, the "Problem" artist opted for a sexy corset top and elegant white pants.

Ariana rocked a funky fresh outfit at the 2016 Hairspray Live! press junket. She sizzled in oversized overalls, a bralette and a bedazzled choker necklace.

Ariana brought the heat to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas. Her Atelier Versace dress highlighted her playful side with its unique cut-out design and bright colors.

Ariana took fans to church with her Sistine Chapel-inspired dress at the 2018 Met Gala. Megan McCluskey designed the gown in keeping with event's theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."

Ariana looked like a cotton candy dream in her pastel pink ensemble at the 2018 iHeartRadio Wango Tango event. Giving us '90s nostalgia, she rocked platinum sneakers, matching ankle socks and an oversized sweater that states, "girls girls girls."

The "7 Rings" singer looked regal and elegant in her custom Christian Siriano dress, which she perfectly dubbed the "loofah of the year" lewk. Of course, she tied her outfit together by wearing her signature thigh-high boots.

Not only did the pop star turned heads with two outfit changes at the 2020 Grammys red carpet, but her platinum blonde pony was all anyone could talk about at the time.

Ariana said thank u, next to her signature high pony with a selfie that showed off her natural curls in 2020.

The "Positions" singer channeled Jennifer Garner's 13 Going on 30 character in 2021.

The Wicked actress debuted a dramatic blonde look in October 2022.

Ariana channeled Glinda the Good Witch in a pink Giambattista Valli gown at the 2024 Oscars.

For the 2024 Met Gala, which had a "Garden of Time" dress code to celebrate the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" exhibit, Ariana wore an ethereal white gown from Loewe featuring a mother of pearl bodice—a nod to her birthstone—and long chiffon skirt.

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