Amanda Seyfried 'Bent Over Backwards' to Audition for 'Wicked' Movie Role That Went to Ariana Grande

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Noam Galai/GettyAmanda Seyfriedtried out to be Glinda inWicked.Playing the role of the good witch in the upcoming movie adaptation of the hit musical was actually a long-held dream, the actress, 36,toldBackstage.“Last summer while I was playing Elizabeth [inThe Dropout], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version ofWicked— because I wanted it that much that I was like, ‘You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene ofThe Dropouton Tuesday. I’ll give my Sunday to you,’ " said Seyfried, who scored an Emmy nomination forThe Dropout.She continued, “I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life. But I think it also taught me how far I’ve come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove. Because ever sinceLes Miz, I was like, ‘I need to be better. I need to do better.’ So whatever comes next in terms of musicals, I’m finally prepared.“Seyfried’s love for the musical goes even further back. TheMean Girlsalum said onVariety’sAwards Circuitpodcastthat she’d been “campaigning forWickedfor five years.““I’ve never been more ready to hit those notes,” she said at the time.Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Universal Stage Production; Rich Fury/Getty ImagesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Seyfried has previously displayed her range in a number of productions, notably playing Cosette in the film adaptation ofLes MisérablesoppositeAnne Hathaway, and also in twoMamma Mia!movies.RELATED VIDEO: Idina Menzel CongratulatesAriana Grande, Cynthia Erivo onWickedCasting News: ‘So Much Love’It was announced last fall thatAriana Grandewas ultimately cast as Glinda, withCynthia Erivojoining the singer as Elphaba.Jon M. Chuis directing the adaptation, which will be two movies.In aconversation withEntertainment Tonight, Erivo, 35, revealed that she and Grande, 29, officially go into rehearsals this month, with filming likely to begin before the end of the year.The movie was originally slated to bereleased on Dec. 22, 2021, but due to COVID-19-related production delays, it was pushed back. Chu teased in April that theWickedfilms would be released “on successive Christmas holidaysbeginning December 2024.”

Photo: Noam Galai/Getty

Amanda Seyfriedtried out to be Glinda inWicked.Playing the role of the good witch in the upcoming movie adaptation of the hit musical was actually a long-held dream, the actress, 36,toldBackstage.“Last summer while I was playing Elizabeth [inThe Dropout], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version ofWicked— because I wanted it that much that I was like, ‘You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene ofThe Dropouton Tuesday. I’ll give my Sunday to you,’ " said Seyfried, who scored an Emmy nomination forThe Dropout.She continued, “I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life. But I think it also taught me how far I’ve come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove. Because ever sinceLes Miz, I was like, ‘I need to be better. I need to do better.’ So whatever comes next in terms of musicals, I’m finally prepared.“Seyfried’s love for the musical goes even further back. TheMean Girlsalum said onVariety’sAwards Circuitpodcastthat she’d been “campaigning forWickedfor five years.““I’ve never been more ready to hit those notes,” she said at the time.Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Universal Stage Production; Rich Fury/Getty ImagesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Seyfried has previously displayed her range in a number of productions, notably playing Cosette in the film adaptation ofLes MisérablesoppositeAnne Hathaway, and also in twoMamma Mia!movies.RELATED VIDEO: Idina Menzel CongratulatesAriana Grande, Cynthia Erivo onWickedCasting News: ‘So Much Love’It was announced last fall thatAriana Grandewas ultimately cast as Glinda, withCynthia Erivojoining the singer as Elphaba.Jon M. Chuis directing the adaptation, which will be two movies.In aconversation withEntertainment Tonight, Erivo, 35, revealed that she and Grande, 29, officially go into rehearsals this month, with filming likely to begin before the end of the year.The movie was originally slated to bereleased on Dec. 22, 2021, but due to COVID-19-related production delays, it was pushed back. Chu teased in April that theWickedfilms would be released “on successive Christmas holidaysbeginning December 2024.”

Amanda Seyfriedtried out to be Glinda inWicked.

Playing the role of the good witch in the upcoming movie adaptation of the hit musical was actually a long-held dream, the actress, 36,toldBackstage.

“Last summer while I was playing Elizabeth [inThe Dropout], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version ofWicked— because I wanted it that much that I was like, ‘You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene ofThe Dropouton Tuesday. I’ll give my Sunday to you,’ " said Seyfried, who scored an Emmy nomination forThe Dropout.

She continued, “I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life. But I think it also taught me how far I’ve come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove. Because ever sinceLes Miz, I was like, ‘I need to be better. I need to do better.’ So whatever comes next in terms of musicals, I’m finally prepared.”

Seyfried’s love for the musical goes even further back. TheMean Girlsalum said onVariety’sAwards Circuitpodcastthat she’d been “campaigning forWickedfor five years.”

“I’ve never been more ready to hit those notes,” she said at the time.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Universal Stage Production; Rich Fury/Getty Images

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Seyfried has previously displayed her range in a number of productions, notably playing Cosette in the film adaptation ofLes MisérablesoppositeAnne Hathaway, and also in twoMamma Mia!movies.

RELATED VIDEO: Idina Menzel CongratulatesAriana Grande, Cynthia Erivo onWickedCasting News: ‘So Much Love’

It was announced last fall thatAriana Grandewas ultimately cast as Glinda, withCynthia Erivojoining the singer as Elphaba.Jon M. Chuis directing the adaptation, which will be two movies.

In aconversation withEntertainment Tonight, Erivo, 35, revealed that she and Grande, 29, officially go into rehearsals this month, with filming likely to begin before the end of the year.

The movie was originally slated to bereleased on Dec. 22, 2021, but due to COVID-19-related production delays, it was pushed back. Chu teased in April that theWickedfilms would be released “on successive Christmas holidaysbeginning December 2024.”

source: people.com