‘Wicked’ fans think they just spotted Kristin Chenoweth in new film promo — you be the judge
“Wicked” fans are showing off their gravity-defying sleuthing talents.
A new featurette was released on Wednesday in anticipation of director Jon M. Chu’s movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.
Along with exclusive interviews with Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), viewers also get a glimpse at new clips from the film.
But it’s what eagle-eyed fans pointed out that has set the internet abuzz.
While Chu is being interviewed about Grande and Erivo’s friendship in real life, the camera cuts to a BTS shot that shows the pair surrounded by Oz citizens — one of them potentially being Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth played the original Glinda on Broadway in 2003 alongside Idina Menzel as Elphaba.
The shot, which is only seconds long, shows a petite woman with bright blonde hair, dark eye makeup and a tan, all markers pointing to the actress being Chenoweth.
Fans took to social media to share their theories about the potential cameo, with one user writing on X, “It appears as though Kristin Chenoweth is visible in the latest featurette for ‘Wicked.’”
It’s only fitting that the “Holidate” star would be asked to participate in the “Wicked” movie, as it’s a full-circle moment for Chenoweth.
The 56-year-old first met Grande when she was just 10 years old and came to a show, even sharing in May with “Women’s Health” that the pair cried together when Grande was cast in the production.
Chenoweth revealed she has only seen early cuts of the film, which she “can’t wait” for the world to also experience.
“I did cry [watching the trailer],” she admitted. “There’s things that we can’t do in Broadway that they can do in a film. I got really, really excited.”
Chenoweth gushed over the casting a year earlier while speaking to Entertainment Tonight.
“I’m going to get to watch two women I know soar, and Ariana Grande is going to step so beautifully into my shoes,” she shared in April 2023. “I’m so excited for her, she’s gonna put her own stamp on it.”
And when it comes to any advice Chenoweth has for Grande? As she put it while on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” that same month: “What I want to encourage you to do, Ariana, is make Glinda your Glinda. Sure, you can tip your hat at me if you want, but really, I just want you to do you.”
But when asked if she would appear in the film, Chenoweth played coy about what audiences now know could be a resounding yes.
The Broadway star said she “cannot confirm or deny.”
“I really…I really cannot,” Chenoweth insisted at the time. “I’m waiting and we’ll see.”
“Wicked” also stars Jonathan Bailey as Elphaba’s love interest, Fiyero; Michelle Yeoh as the Shiz University president Madame Morrible; Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond; Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard; and “SNL” star Bowen Yang, who plays a new character, Pfannee.
