The Biggest Surprise Of The Wicked Movies Is That It Made Me Change My Mind About Glinda For Good

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I discovered Wicked through its original Broadway cast recording. I did eventually see the show live on a school trip, but that was after I’d learned every word of the CD. I imagined so much of the story between the songs that I almost forgot what happened in the second act when the movie adaptation was announced. However, I’m really glad the film is being released in two parts because it allows the audience to connect with the characters on a deeper level, and I want to share one specific way I think this works brilliantly.

After watching both films, I’ve surprisingly fallen in love with the character of Glinda. Here’s a look at my personal experience with her.

Growing Up, I Always Understood Elphaba Way More Than Glinda

Growing up, I was definitely a girly girl, so when I discovered Wicked, I was immediately drawn to Glinda. She’s beautiful and gets to wear amazing dresses! In a lot of ways, she represented how I wanted others to see me – as the popular, effortlessly friendly girl. But emotionally, I connected with Elphaba much more. She embodies the feeling of being an outsider, someone who doesn’t quite fit in, and the hope that what makes you different can eventually become your strength. Thinking about it now, Wicked really captures the experience of young girls figuring out who they are.

Because of all this, I naturally sided with Elphaba. I didn’t really feel much sympathy for Glinda, even when Elphaba left her or she lost Fiyero. I just saw Glinda as the typical unkind character who deserved what happened to her.

Ariana Grande’s Performance Really Warmed Me Up To Glinda In The First Movie

Last winter, I finally saw Wicked, and I was excited to see both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform. But Ariana Grande as Glinda truly surprised me – she was absolutely perfect for the role. She expertly played Glinda’s frustrating moments – like being condescending to Elphaba or treating her like a pet project – while also making the character charming and surprisingly complex. Her performance really brought a lot of depth to Glinda.

You really start to connect with Glinda during the ballroom scene in Ozdust, specifically when they’re dancing. It’s at this moment, when Elphaba helps Glinda get a chance to fulfill her dream of becoming a witch through Madame Morrible, that their friendship truly begins. Glinda could have simply enjoyed her success, but she bravely chooses to dance with Elphaba, and that’s when a genuine connection starts to develop between them.

The relationship between Elphaba and Glinda in the movie reminds me of friendships where one person feels intimidated by the other’s success or life experiences. It can be hard to connect at first when you seem so different, but once you both genuinely want the friendship, it can be something really special. I actually found their connection more believable than the musical portrayed it, because their real moments felt so authentic.

And In For Good, I Can Finally Understand Her Perspective

I enjoyed the first movie, but For Good truly exceeded my expectations, largely due to the new scenes added. I particularly loved Glinda’s flashback at the beginning, which mirrored Elphaba’s earlier one. It shows young Glinda receiving a magic wand for her birthday, but struggling to use it. Feeling inadequate, she pretends to be magical when a rainbow unexpectedly appears. Her mother then advises her that all she needs to do is be well-liked, a lesson that clearly stays with her throughout her life.

There’s this one little scene that really stuck with me, because it explains so much about Glinda. You finally get why she does the things she does, and how she ends up seeming to betray her friend. It’s heartbreaking because she’s always been taught that being liked is the most important thing, so it’s incredibly difficult for her to do what Elphaba asks – to stand up for what’s right, even if it means going against everyone else. But it’s also really powerful to see that Elphaba genuinely believes in her own magic and her ability to become the person she’s meant to be. It just makes everything click!

And The New Song, ‘Girl In The Bubble’ Is A Big Reason Why

The film wonderfully portrays Glinda’s personal growth, culminating in her ultimately helping Elphaba, showcased in the new rendition of “Girl In The Bubble.” Through the song, she understands that her popularity is built on a foundation of pretense and that ignoring injustice is wrong. She learns that true goodness means accepting that she can’t please everyone and embracing authenticity instead of maintaining a fabricated image.

After watching For Good, I found I connect with both Elphaba and Glinda. Like Glinda, I often fall into patterns of trying to please others, and her journey is a wonderful reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone is essential for personal growth. I really appreciate how the filmmakers and actors brought depth to these characters – Glinda could have easily been portrayed as just a popular, somewhat unkind person – and it makes me love Wicked even more.

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2025-11-28 16:09