For years, Ariana Grande has lived her life under bright lights, her voice soaring across sold-out arenas and dominating global music charts. Yet behind the pop spectacle has always been an artist shaped by dreams, setbacks, and moments of quiet transformation. While Grande has been the one playing roles, her most recent one has according to the actress, played her in a Wicked turn of events.

At a point in her career where she can look back at the role that changed her career, Grande has revealed one that has changed her itself.

Ariana Grande got emotional during a Wicked: For Good Q&A session moderated by British broadcaster and TV presenter Clara Amfo in November, as she recounted how starring in the franchise profoundly shaped her life. Recalling her journey from attending the stage version of the films as a child to becoming a part of the IP, the actress described the experience as a significant gift.

“Being able to be a part of this was the greatest gift of my creative life and my human life,” Grande said, adding that playing Glinda taught her resilience and helped her navigate the confusion and noise that often accompany dreams coming true.

Ariana Grande’s Wicked: For Good, for those unversed, is a sequel to Wicked, which was released in November 2024. Directed by Jon M. Chu and co-starring Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and others, the film is a stage-to-screen adaptation of the Tony-winning play of the same name, which Grande attended as a 10-year-old, as described above. While Grande has successfully ticked off being a part of an iconic franchise on her list, she is moving towards ticking off being a part of an iconic book adaptation.

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Post her Wicked success, Ariana Grande has been cast in the film adaptation of a Dr. Seuss book, directed once again by Jon M. Chu.

Ariana Grande is set to headline the upcoming animated musical adaptation Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! The singer-actor has joined Josh Gad as a voice lead in the Warner Bros. Pictures feature. Helmed by Jon M. Chu, with original songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the film is scheduled for an IMAX release in March 2028.

As Ariana Grande moves into the next phase of her career, Wicked feels less like a project and more like a personal turning point. With new film roles lined up and whispers about her possibly stepping away from full-time music to focus more on acting, she appears comfortable following what feels right rather than what is expected. Whether she is singing or telling stories on screen, Grande seems focused on work that matters to her, choices shaped by passion, growth, and a deeper sense of purpose.

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What do you think of Ariana Grande’s response to how Wicked shaped her life? Let us know in the comments.