Kristin Chenoweth 'Let Go' of Glinda to Support Ariana Grande inWickedMovie: ‘She's Wickedly Funny’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Trae Patton/NBC

Kristin Chenowethhas passed the baton toAriana Grandeand believes her successor’s rendition of Glinda is sure to bepopular.

With less than a month until theWickedmoviehits theaters, Chenoweth, 56, the original Glinda from the Broadway production, says she “can’t wait” for the world to see Grande, 31, in her new role. “I couldn’t be more excited for her, and I can’t wait for the world to see what I know, which is how funny she is,” Chenoweth tells PEOPLE while discussing her partnership withHomeGoodsfor the company’s “Deck the Everything Day” on Nov. 1.

She adds, “She’s wickedly funny, a fantastic actor and she’s going to get the opportunity to show it in this part.”

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Grande being chosen as Glinda was especially meaningful for the pair, given their long-standing relationship. “A lot of people forget how she started on Broadway, and I’ve known her since she was ten years old,” Chenoweth explains. “So when she got the audition during COVID, she called me crying. She said, ‘I got the audition,’ and I asked, ‘For which part?’ because she could do either. Then she said, ‘The one I wanted, Glinda,’ and we both cried.”

She adds, “[Ariana] has been like, ‘Oh, I hope you like what I did with ‘Popular’ or I hope you like…’ and I’m like, I’m going to love it because it’s time. It’s exciting for them to be making the movie. It’s been 21 years and nowCynthia [Erivo]and her are going to put their stamp on these parts and I’m really excited.”

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When it comes to playing the perfect Glinda, Chenoweth says the key is to “never really know how awful she is.”

“She’s amazing in her world, she’s helping this green girl try to look better. She didn’t know that it was completely offensive and when she becomes aware, she gets a little mean and hurtful,” Chenoweth explains. “It’s how she grows and the arc of it that whoever plays the part has to remember. There’s forgiveness, friendship and love. So it’s a challenging role, but Ariana Grande is up for it. I’m not even worried one bit.”

Chenoweth finally had the chance to see Grande’s rendition of Glinda at a premiere alongside the singer and the other actresses who have portrayed Glinda on Broadway. Sharing her thoughts in an Instagram, Chenoweth wrote, “I’m in so much awe 🫧🧹@wickedmovieis a gift for us allI am beyond proud of my precious angel,@arianagrande. She was born to play this role. I cried the whole night watching her &@cynthiaerivo. I love them from the bottom of my heart.”

Chenoweth is still immensely proud to be the original alongside her Elphaba,Idina Menzel. “Now we get to sit back and watch our girls get to do what they create and we will get to celebrate their version, and that’s the circle of life with our career and this industry,” the actress says. She adds about Grande, “When somebody I’ve known since she was ten gets to do my part, it’s exciting and bittersweet at times and beautiful.”

Wickedopens in theaters Nov. 22.

source: people.com