Why Ariana Grande will appear with a second surname in the credits of ‘Wicked’ – Paudal

From next month, musical lovers can indulge themselves with the Hollywood epic Wicked (2024)and one of the two witches of Oz is played in the film by none other than Ariana Grande. The pop star already sang the title song of Beauty and the Beast (2017)but by starring in this musical film adaptation she says she is really embracing her second nature. So much so that an important detail has been added to the credits.

Second nature

Grande plays Glinda, an ambitious young woman who is desperately searching for her identity. She forms a close friendship with Elphaba, after which the two change further through an encounter with the Wizard of Oz.

We don’t really know Ariana Grande other than Ordinary as Ariana Grande, but what few people will know is that she has a second last name. This surname, Grande-Buterais included in the end credits of Wickedand in conversation with The Streaming Service the actress herself explains why she chose this:

This experience really felt like coming home to me (…) I mean that in many different ways, because of what I learned from Glinda and Elphaba. This was my name when I went to see the theater show as a ten year old, and it felt like a wonderful opportunity to remember it that way. The circle is complete

In ‘Wicked’ we are introduced to the unknown story of the Witches of Oz. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, a young woman who feels insecure due to her unusual green skin and who has yet to discover her true power.

Giant steps

The release of Wicked doesn’t mark Grande’s first time acting, but it is her first really major film role. As a young twenty-something, the pop icon was in it Swindle (2013) and in recent years she has appeared in, among other things, Zoolander 2 (2016) (cameo) and Don’t Look Up (2021). The Dutch cinema release of the musical hit is over 5 december.

Beeld: Still ‘Wicked’ via Filmdepot/2024 Universal Studios