Is Ariana Grande Going to Be Stuck Like This Forever?

As a seasoned movie critic with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Ariana Grande‘s transformation into Glinda the Good Witch is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s akin to watching Meryl Streep morph into Sophie Zawistowski in “Sophie’s Choice,” or Robert De Niro’s metamorphosis into Vito Corleone in “The Godfather.” The difference here, however, is that Grande hasn’t just mastered the character’s speech and mannerisms; she’s seemingly become one with Glinda.


As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis Presley in the movie wasn’t always an exact replica of the legend. Yet, this fact didn’t diminish the joy and excitement his eight-month long immersion into the Elvis persona brought during the awards season. It’s even amusing to see that he seems to still be channeling Elvis off-screen.

Over the past two years, we’ve seen Ariana Grande evolve into the character of Glinda. Yes, she has blonde hair, but her portrayal goes beyond that. As she shared with Teen Vogue, “I needed to disappear into this role.” In classic adaptations like Victor Fleming’s The Wizard of Oz and onstage productions like Wicked, Glinda is characterized by certain traits such as a sugary sweetness, an affinity for doing good, and always dressed in pink. However, the Glinda from Wicked is still a good witch but is driven by popularity – a quintessential “cool girl” who is deeply self-conscious. With Grande’s portrayal, there’s a witty, playful femininity that aligns with Gloria Grahame’s character in Oklahoma! There’s a hint of irony to the role she’s adopted in interviews. She’s innocent yet not completely so; kind-hearted but not overly so; funny, yet she’s aware of her humor and wants to ensure it’s appreciated as more of a shared laughter experience rather than being laughed at.

A significant aspect that makes Ariana Grande’s Wicked promotional tour captivating is the visible traces of her previous persona. Although her vocal style hasn’t undergone a significant transformation, she seems to have elevated her everyday speech tone. It’s well-known that Grande seldom deviates from pink, but her dedication surpasses mere red-carpet fashion. Watching Wicked reveals that Grande embodies her character extensively in the press interviews, displaying an over-the-top demeanor akin to Barbra Streisand or Sutton Foster. Unlike other leading musical actresses who have molded their characters around their own personalities (for instance, Emma Watson ensuring Belle wore boots instead of heels), Grande has adopted Glinda’s mannerisms as her own. Similar to how Glinda spends a considerable amount of the movie on the verge of tears, Grande has also shed tears throughout most of the press tour.

The dedication of Grande to shape and character is both impressive and amusing, though it may depend on one’s taste for all things pink and green. However, one might wonder about the long-term plan – will she continue in this manner throughout the coming year? Or, similar to Austin Butler before her, is she destined to stay in this style forever?

It seems quite plausible that Ariana Grande could receive an Oscar nomination for her outstanding performance, which has left a strong impression. However, it’s debatable whether she would win the award. If Oscars were given for press tours, she might have a good chance. In terms of acting, the Academy often prefers to honor a comprehensive body of work, or performances that involve environmental hardships or prosthetics. Actors who carry entire movies usually receive recognition. Historically, pop stars who deliver remarkable performances in significant films haven’t fared well – only Cher won for “Moonstruck”. Lady Gaga was also snubbed for “A Star is Born”, and neither Justin Timberlake nor Jennifer Lopez could secure a nomination for “The Social Network” or “Hustlers”. Can you recall Taylor Swift’s role in a David O. Russell film? Nevertheless, Grande’s dedication to her character stands out among pop stars, leading some to speculate that this might be the unique combination needed for her to win the Best Supporting Actress award early next year.

Above everything else, it appears she’s genuinely enjoying herself immensely with this abundance of pink and these playful jests. Following an extensive discussion about Glinda’s intentions on Las Culturistas, Grande interrupts her own flow as tears well up in her eyes. “Oh my goodness, so tiresome!” she exclaims, giving herself a light reprimand with a self-deprecating roll of the eyes. For a fleeting moment, it’s as if we’re all sharing a secret laugh together.

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2024-11-27 16:53