'Thank U, Next' hitmaker Ariana Grande has opted to be credited in the highly-anticipated musical movie 'Wicked' using her full name, instead of her famous moniker.
- Nov 3, 2024
AceShowbiz - Ariana Grande has decided to go back to her roots, changing her name back to her full birth name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the credits of her new film, "Wicked", after reconnecting with her father.
The decision to include "Grande-Butera" comes after the hitmaker reconciled with her father following years of estrangement, which began when they lost touch in 2013. Grande's parents split when she was only eight, and she previously described the fallout as "one of the hardest things" she had ever dealt with.
In a 2014 interview with Seventeen magazine, she shared, "It's private … It took me so long to be okay with it. So much of me comes from my father, and for so long, I didn't like that about myself. I had to accept that it's okay not to get along with somebody and still love them."
Ariana touched on her relationship with her dad in her 2018 song "Thank U, Next," singing, "One day I'll walk down the aisle/ holding hands with my mama/ I'll be thanking my dad 'cause she grew from the drama." She has shared moments of their reconciliation on social media, including a FaceTime call during Christmas in 2018 and a behind-the-scenes photo from one of her concerts in 2019 captioned "Foreva."
Although she started her career under the simplified "Ariana Grande," fans will now see "Ariana Grande-Butera" in the credits of Wicked. She plays Glinda the Good Witch, and early reviews have been mostly positive following the world premiere in Sydney, Australia, with some fans being brought to tears by her onscreen portrayal.
Beyond the name change, Ariana's portrayal of Glinda in Wicked also showcases her vocal versatility. She has adapted her voice for the role, which drew some initial skepticism but also acclaim for her dedication to embodying the character.
Her boyfriend, Ethan Slater, whom she met on set, expressed his pride in her performance, saying, "She's poured herself into it. I'm really excited to be here for this next step of when the world gets to see the amazing thing that she did."
"Wicked: Part One" hits U.S. theaters on November 22, followed by "Wicked Part Two" on November 21, 2025. Grande's fans eagerly await to see both her performance and her full name on the big screen.
