‘Wicked’ star Ariana Grande on her first-ever Golden Globe nomination and her friendship with Cynthia Erivo: ‘These roles have changed us’
Ariana Grande was certainly popular with Golden Globes voters.
The “Wicked” star is now a first-time Golden Globes Awards nominee for her performance as Glinda in the blockbuster musical. Grande received one of the film’s four nominations on Monday, alongside co-star Cynthia Erivo (Best Comedy/Musical Actress) and the film itself (Best Comedy/Musical, Best Cinematic & Box Office Achievement).
More from GoldDerby
“I’m so grateful, I’m so emotional, I’m speechless honestly. I’m so overwhelmed,” Grande tells Gold Derby shortly after the nominations were announced. “It’s so surreal, you know, you never expect something like this. You just want to focus on the work. It’s just beautiful and surreal. I’m really grateful for the acknowledgment. It’s shocking.”
Grande is a world-famous pop star, but she has also been an actress for years: she made her Broadway debut in 2008 as a teenager. But to be nominated for “Wicked,” she says, is a special moment.
“It means so much and I’m so grateful to share this moment with Cynthia because of the work that we’ve done together and the friendship that we’ve built and how much these roles have changed us and really healed parts of us that had no idea needed it, it’s just a really beautiful thing to see that people are feeling the heart that was put into it,” she says. “I think it’s all just very surreal and I’m so grateful we’re in it together and that it continues.”
Based on the popular musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman, “Wicked” is a prequel to the events depicted in “The Wizard of Oz” and it focuses on the friendship between Galinda (Grande) and Elphaba (Erivo) before Elphaba becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West. The film was co-written by Holzman and Dana Fox, and directed by Jon M. Chu (who failed to land among the Golden Globe nominees for Best Director this year, one of the day’s bigger snubs). Since its release in late November, “Wicked” has been a box office smash and quickly become one of awards season’s top contenders. Future Oscar nominations for Best Picture, as well as nominations for Grande and Erivo, are not out of the question.
Asked what the experience with the film has meant to her thus far, Grande says, “You didn’t want to tip me into early morning tears, but just so you know my mom and I have been pink for hours.”
Referencing one of the show’s signature songs (which will be heard in next year’s “Wicked: Part Two”), she adds, “I would be remiss to not say I’ve been changed for good. I’m just so grateful. It was something that enveloped me entirely for three years and I think a part of me will always be in Oz. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to not have to fully let go yet. It feels like an extension of my time with Elphaba and Glinda, and it’s just really beautiful. I don’t know how I’m going to get through the day! That’s what it feels like. I’m so grateful to get to celebrate the work everyone has done.”
And what about “Wicked: Part Two.” Assuming the film is received as well as the first part has been this year, it’s entirely possible Grande will be a Golden Globe nominee again next year. Not that she’s thinking so far ahead.
“I’m 15 minutes into this journey! I try not to think too far ahead but I’m going to try to stay present in this very moment,” she says. “I know I keep saying I’m grateful but I feel really overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Reporting and interview by Jaclyn Ben-Porat
Best of GoldDerby
Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Solve the daily Crossword
