Ariana Grande is embracing her acting career with renewed passion, especially in her role as Glinda in the upcoming film “Wicked: For Good,” scheduled for release in 2024. Her performance has already garnered attention, leading to an Academy Award nomination and discussion of her reaching new heights in acting. In a recent interview with El-Balad, Grande shared insights into the demands of the role and the personal growth she has experienced.
Ariana Grande’s Transformation in “Wicked: For Good”
In her portrayal of Glinda, Grande navigates a character marked by both brightness and underlying insecurities. The complexity of Glinda requires not only emotional agility but also the ability to switch between musical and dramatic elements seamlessly.
The Role’s Demands
- Character Depth: Grande describes Glinda as cheerful yet grappling with self-doubt about her talents.
- Emotional Range: The role requires Grande to manage emotional scenes filmed back-to-back, often out of sequence, which adds to the complexity of her performance.
- Commitment to Craft: For Grande, acting is a profound commitment. She states, “I had earned the role, and I needed to give it my entire being.”
A Different Type of Exposure
Grande distinguishes acting from her music career, describing music as an introspective journey while acting allows her to step into other people’s stories. She asserts, “Acting is confession through a character. You’re honoring someone else’s story.” This perspective has fostered a deeper connection with her craft and a love for storytelling.
Handling Criticism and Self-Doubt
The path to success hasn’t been without challenges. Grande has faced skepticism from critics who question her seriousness in acting. She has learned to focus on her commitment and talents, which have fueled her growth as an actress. “I learned quickly that I had to shut everything else out and focus on what was real,” she explains.
Future Projects and Aspirations
Alongside “Wicked: For Good,” Grande is also set to appear in “American Horror Story” and “Meet the Fockers.” While she acknowledges the pressure to deliver new music, she prioritizes her acting career for now, stating, “Music will return — eventually.” Grande expresses excitement about an undisclosed future project, signaling her commitment to diversify her roles.
Community and Collaboration
Grande credits her growth to the collaborative environment fostered by her director, Jon M. Chu, and co-star Cynthia Erivo. She appreciates their mutual support and acknowledges that the film’s success is a collective achievement. “None of this exists in isolation,” she notes, underscoring the importance of teamwork in creative endeavors.
As Ariana Grande continues to grow in her acting career, she emphasizes the joy of storytelling and the transformative power of performance. Her journey in “Wicked: For Good” is just the beginning of what she envisions as an expansive and fulfilling acting trajectory.
