On November 22, the highly anticipated film Wicked officially premiered in Vietnamese theaters, promising to take viewers on a magical journey into the world of witches. Alongside a talented cast, the public’s attention immediately turned to the leading actress, Ariana Grande.
Wicked’s premiere has drawn significant attention to Ariana Grande.
In Wicked, Ariana Grande transforms into Galinda Upland, later known as Glinda, the most powerful witch in Oz. Notably, Grande used method acting—a highly debated technique in Hollywood. The “little diva” impressed audiences by shedding her pop singer persona to fully immerse herself in the character of the sweet and gentle fairy throughout the filming process, even when the cameras were off. Her charming and witty performance captivated not just moviegoers but also the production team, showcasing her delightful and vibrant on-screen presence.
This transformation somewhat explains the sudden change in Ariana Grande’s appearance and demeanor. Upon receiving the script, the 1993-born star transformed from a healthy brown skin tone to a fair complexion that aligns with her American-Italian heritage. Public admiration for her recent beauty has surged, with many noting her visual upgrade, making her look like a living doll. Additionally, her demeanor has shifted to a more composed, sweet, and gentle persona, contrasting sharply with the sexy and flirtatious image that defined her career.
To explain her slightly robotic yet sweet tone, Ariana Grande researched and trained her voice to adopt a vocal style popular among the American and British elite in the early 20th century, blending the accents and pronunciations of both countries.
This marks a significant breakthrough for Ariana Grande as she shifts her career focus toward acting and musical theater. Wicked draws inspiration from the iconic musical of the same name and the classic story of The Wizard of Oz, making this project a powerful stepping stone for Grande to leave her mark in the seventh art.
Despite her fame for her soaring vocals and impressive musical repertoire, it’s interesting to note that Ariana Grande started her career as a child actress. Early in her showbiz journey, she gained attention for her role as Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon sitcoms such as Victorious, iCarly, and Sam & Cat. Additionally, she is recognized for several cameo appearances in productions like Scream Queens and Don’t Look Up.
Wicked can be viewed as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz. The story unfolds in the Emerald City, focusing on the two young witches, Galinda and Elphaba, exploring Elphaba’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West and why Galinda became the Good Witch of the North.
