Wicked: For Good Cast: Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo
Okay, let’s talk about something that’s been buzzing around like a happy little Fizzy-lifting drink. We’re talking about Wicked! Specifically, the upcoming movie version of Wicked. And more specifically, the absolute powerhouses they’ve picked to play our favorite witches. Yes, we’re diving headfirst into the casting of Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. And listen, I might be wading into slightly… interesting waters here, but I’m ready to have a little fun with it.
Now, before any pitchforks get ignited, let’s just acknowledge the sheer brilliance of this pairing. We’ve got Ariana Grande, who, let’s be honest, has a voice that could melt glaciers and a pop star aura that’s practically a superpower. And then we have Cynthia Erivo, a force of nature, a powerhouse vocalist, and an actress who can deliver a performance that makes you feel things deep down in your soul. Seriously, the talent level here is off the charts. It’s like they looked at the casting sheet and said, “Let’s just throw all the amazing voices and acting chops we can find into one cauldron, stir it up, and see what magical potion we brew.” And spoiler alert: it looks like a pretty darn good potion.
But here’s where my tiny, slightly mischievous, but totally well-intentioned thought comes in. What if… just what if… this casting is so perfect, it’s almost too perfect? You know how sometimes things are so good, you start to wonder if it’s real? Like finding a perfect parking spot right outside the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon. You just pause and think, “Is this a trick?” That’s the vibe I’m getting, in the best possible way.
We’ve all seen the clips. We’ve all heard the buzz. Ariana Grande, with her signature high notes and undeniable charm, stepping into the sparkly, pink shoes of Glinda the Good. It’s like she was born to play a character who might, at any moment, spontaneously break into a perfectly harmonized ballad. And when she sings, it’s pure, unadulterated joy. You just want to put on a pastel-colored outfit and skip through a field of daisies. It’s the Glinda energy we’ve all imagined, amplified by a thousand watts of pure pop star power. Her voice can probably achieve altitudes previously thought only to be occupied by actual birds of prey. And she’s got that twinkle in her eye that just screams “I’m having a fabulous time and you should too!”
And then there’s Cynthia Erivo, a woman who can command a stage with just a single, powerful note. The idea of her as Elphaba, the misunderstood witch with the emerald green skin and the heart of gold (even if it’s a bit… complicated), is frankly, breathtaking. Elphaba is all about that raw emotion, that inner turmoil, that soaring defiance. And Cynthia Erivo has that in spades. She can convey a universe of pain and hope and fierce determination in a single glance. Her voice is a force, a hurricane of talent that can tear down walls and build them back up stronger. When she sings, you don’t just listen; you feel it. It’s the kind of singing that makes you want to stand up and march for what’s right, even if what’s right is a bit fuzzy around the edges.
So, my little “unpopular opinion,” if you can even call it that, is that this casting is so intrinsically linked to the characters, it feels almost… preordained. It’s like the universe looked at the script for Wicked and thought, “You know who would absolutely nail this? These two phenomenal women.” It’s not just about them being talented, which they are, obviously. It’s about how their individual magic, their unique vocal talents, and their sheer stage presence seem to perfectly align with the very essence of Glinda and Elphaba.
Imagine Ariana Grande twirling in her bubble, hitting those impossibly high notes with that signature Ariana flair, exuding that effortlessly charming, sometimes a little ditzy, but ultimately good-hearted spirit of Glinda. It’s the picture of sweet innocence, with a voice that could probably shatter glass if she wasn’t careful. You can already hear the “loo-loo-loo-loo-loo” in your head, can’t you?
And then, picture Cynthia Erivo on stage, her voice booming with all the power and passion of Elphaba’s journey. The defiance, the misunderstood anger, the hidden vulnerability – she’s going to bring all of that. You can feel the weight of her power, the strength of her convictions. Her rendition of “Defying Gravity” is going to be legendary. It’s going to be a vocal and emotional tour de force. Forget gravity; her voice will be defying all known laws of physics and human emotion.
It’s like they’re not even playing these characters; they are these characters, just with slightly less green makeup and perhaps a better publicist than Elphaba ever had.
And that’s why, in my humble, slightly whimsical opinion, this casting is perfect. It’s almost too perfect. It’s like the casting gods themselves were humming “For Good” and smiling down on us. We’re not just getting great singers and actors; we’re getting the embodiment of two beloved characters brought to life by artists who seem to be their spiritual counterparts. So, while others might be debating the merits and the potential challenges, I’m over here just ready to be utterly blown away. Bring on the magic, the music, and the perfectly cast witches. I’m ready. Aren't you?