Ariana Grande has shared why she chose to be credited under her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the upcoming “Wicked” film adaptation.
The pop star, 31, plays Glinda the Good Witch in the first part of the two-film series, set to hit theaters Nov. 22.
Though known professionally as Ariana Grande, the singer surprised audiences at early screenings of “Wicked” by using her full name in the credits. In a recent interview with Australian reporter Justin Hill, Grande explained that using her “little girl name” felt like a way to honor her deep connection to the musical.
“Technically, it’s my little girl name,” Grande explained. “It felt like a homecoming for me. I feel like I came home to myself in many ways, learning from Glinda and Elphaba. That was the name I had when I first saw ‘Wicked’ at 10 years old, and it just felt like a lovely way of honoring that moment. It felt full circle.”
Grande saw “Wicked” for the first time two years after her parents, Joan Grande and Edward Butera, split. At an auction for Broadway Cares, Joan won a backstage trip for Ariana, where they met original cast members Norbert Leo Butz, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the original Broadway production, celebrated Grande’s casting in 2021 by sharing a nostalgic photo from their backstage meeting.
“From the moment we first met, I knew you were meant for this role,” Chenoweth, 56, wrote on Instagram. “Congrats @arianagrande! You’ll be the most amazing Glinda, especially with @cynthiaerivo by your side. 💗💚 I love you!! 🧚♀️👑🪄”
Directed by “Crazy Rich Asians” filmmaker Jon M. Chu, “Wicked” also stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, and Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond.
Grande spoke fondly of her first meeting with Chenoweth during a June appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” “Kristin invited me into her dressing room, and we ended up spending a lot of time together,” she recalled. “Her dog peed on the couch, and we cleaned it up together. It was so magical.”
Chenoweth gave Grande a witch’s wand and “magical shower gel,” which Grande still cherishes. “I dip my little pinky in it every day,” she said, “and I really think it’s magical.”
Grande’s love for “Wicked” is well-documented. In 2011, she posted a tweet expressing her dream to play Glinda: “Loved seeing “Wicked” again… amazing production! Made me realize again how badly I want to play Glinda at some point in my life! #DreamRole.”
She also proved her “Wicked” superfan status when she performed “The Wizard and I” for NBC’s “Wicked” 15th anniversary special in 2018.
Despite her passion and vocal talent, Grande admitted that landing the role of Glinda was not easy. In a Nov. 1 interview on the “Sentimental Man” podcast, she called the audition process a “challenge.”
“Anything on this scale has to be earned,” she said. “It’s fun to reframe people’s perceptions and prove what I can deliver. I get why people might doubt me based on what they know of me, but I’ve worked hard for this.”
“Wicked” opens Nov. 22, with the second part scheduled for release Nov. 21, 2025.
