Ariana Grande Says 'Everyone' on Set ofWicked'Cried Every Day' While Making Movie: ‘It Was Really Beautiful’

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Grande on April 10.Photo:VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

FilmingWickedwas an emotional experience forAriana Grande— and everybody else on set too, she says.

“Me, everyone, we all cried every day,” recalled Grande, 31, on the Friday, Nov. 1 episode of Broadway Podcast Network’sSentimental Menpodcast.

Shouting outWickeddirectorJon M. Chuand costarsCynthia ErivoandJonathan Bailey, the “We Can’t Be Friends” singer said, “Everyone cried. It was really beautiful.” She added wryly, “So that was terrible.”

Ariana Granda and Cynthia Erivo in ‘Wicked’.Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

“Idina gave me a little green bracelet,” she recalled, while Chenoweth “gave me a little wand, which feels so full circle and insane. And a body wash that had glitter in it, and she said it was magical. And now I really believe that it was!”

Grande, who herself made a 2008 Broadway debut in the musical13, plays Glinda in the new movie musical opposite Erivo as Elphaba. The movie costars Bailey as Fiyero,Jeff Goldblumas the Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose,Bowen Yangas Pfannee,Keala Settleas Miss Coddle,Ethan Slateras Boq andMichelle Yeohas Madame Morrible.

Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked’.Universal Pictures

The lengthyWickedcasting process included almost as many tears as during filming, said Grande. She “had cried so much” during one chemistry read with potential Elphabas that she left her fake eyelashes behind. “I was like, ‘Well, that’s all, folks!’ I officially left everything else I had to give in this room.”

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Before they were cast, Grande did not do a chemistry read with Erivo, who she called “the best, most formidable actress and singer that there is.” The two made a pact when they met, she added, to “know each other in that way, where I can just look at her and I know what she’s thinking… because without that, nothing else works.”

Erivo is set to appear onSentimental Menon Friday, Nov. 8.Wicked: Part Oneis in theaters Nov. 22.Wicked: Part Twois slated for Nov. 26, 2025.

source: people.com