Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda in the highly anticipated movie adaptation of Wicked, recently shared why she chose to use her birth name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the film’s credits. The “imperfect for you” singer, 31, explained in an interview with podcaster and journalist Justin Hill that returning to her full name felt like a nod to her roots and a tribute to her childhood love for the musical.
A Full-Circle Moment
Grande revealed that “Butera” honors her father, Ed, while “Grande” comes from her mother, Joan. Her parents divorced when she was eight, but using her full name represents a personal “homecoming.” She shared, “That was my name when I went to see the show when I was 10 years old… it felt like a really lovely way of honoring that. It felt really full-circle.”
Wicked’s Backstory and Grande’s Bond with the Role
Wicked tells the backstory of The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West, exploring Elphaba’s (Cynthia Erivo) misunderstood origins and her bond with Glinda (Grande) at Shiz University. Grande’s connection to Wicked goes back to her first time seeing the show as a child with her grandmother. Meeting Kristin Chenoweth backstage left a lasting impression on her, and Chenoweth even gifted young Ariana a wand and sparkly shower gel, which she used sparingly for years.
Reconnecting with Family and Embracing the Past
Grande has been open about reconnecting with her father after a falling out in 2013, making the use of her full name in Wicked feel even more meaningful. Embracing both sides of her family name underscores her journey of reconciliation and honoring her roots.
Fans can look forward to seeing Grande’s full-circle moment come to life when Wicked hits theaters on November 22.
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Photo Credit: Sky Cinema / Shutterstock.com