The singer/actress portraying Glinda Upland in Jon M. Chu's upcoming musical fantasy film shares an emotional post as she reflects on her time working with the director as well as co-star Cynthia Erivo.
- Jan 26, 2024
AceShowbiz - Ariana Grande has finally finished filming "Wicked". Marking the end of the shooting. The singer/actress has posted a new behind-the-scenes photo from the upcoming movie featuring her character.
On Thursday, January 25, the 30-year-old took to Instagram to share the picture featuring a shadow on what looks like a curtain. Her face was not seen, but one can tell from the silhouette that it's Grande's character Glinda Upland.
"like a handprint on my heart," the "Yes, And?" singer captioned the snap, quoting a lyric from the "Wicked" song "For Good". Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda in the "Wicked" musical theater, replied, "Handprint for sure."
Grande also took to her Story to repost Jon M. Chu's post. In the original post, the director wrote over a similar photo of Grande's character, "Will never forget my year with our Galinda. Can't wait for you to meet her. Thank you @arianagrande for pouring your heart into Oz."
Grande then added on her own Story, "I will never forget even a minute of my year(s) with her either. Or you. Or my Cyn." She was referring to her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West. "Permanently and preferably intertwined. I am so inexplicably thankful that we got to add so many soggy eyelashes to the collection @jonmchu."
"There aren't words quite yet. But. Thank you, Jon, for leading the way with such compassion, openness, brilliance and kindness," the former Nickelodeon star concluded. "I have never seen someone conduct a space the way you do. I love you so much."
Grande's boyfriend and co-star Ethan Slater, meanwhile, appeared to have wrapped filming his part a few days earlier. On Sunday, she shared several behind-the-scenes pictures showing him on the set. "Bye Boq Woodsman," so he captioned the snaps, making a reference to his character Boq.
"Wicked" is billed as a two-part film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical of the same title. Winnie Holzman and Stephen Schwartz adapted the screenplay for the big screen version, with Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh joining the cast in supporting roles.
Filming began in late 2022 and was set to wrap in July 2023, before it was suspended due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Chu said the movie was "SO close" to being finished before the actors strike. Filming resumed earlier this month, with the first part being scheduled for release on November 27.
