This article contains spoilers for Wicked.Wickedactor Ariana Grande-Butera tears up when she is allowed to touch the original Glinda wand fromThe Wizard of Oz. Based on the book and musical of the same name, Jon M. Chu’s Broadway adaptationis set inTheWizard of Ozuniverse. It’s an origin story of how Glinda the Good Witch, the Wicked Witch of the West, and the Wicked Witch of the East came to be.Grande-Butera portrays Galinda, aka Glinda, inWicked, a role for which she has received praise. Furthermore, the star has been open about being a fan of the original Broadway musical and considered her involvement in the movie a dream come true.
In an appearance onThe Drew Barrymore Show, Grande-Butera getsemotional upon seeing the original Glinda wand fromTheWizard of Oz.Host Drew Barrymore announced to Grande-Butera that she had something “extremely exciting and special.” Barrymore revealed that the owners of the Glinda wand allowed the show to loan the prop. Upon seeing the wand, Grande-Butera teared up and gasped while holding it, before jokingly scampering offstage as if to take the Glinda wand home with her.
What Grande-Butera’s Wizard Of Oz Wand Moment Means For Wicked
WickedHas Several Connections WithThe Wizard Of Oz
ThoughWickedhas become its own entity since the Broadway musical’s debut two decades ago, this moment is another good reminder of the story’s roots inThe Wizard of Oz. Grande-Butera feels deeply connected to elements of the source material, including this wand. Even Kristen Chenoweth, who portrayed the original Glinda in the musical play, recounted the first time she met Grande-Butera,recalling how the then-young star dreamed of portraying the Good Witch. The Glinda wand does not appear in this same form in Chu’s version, but it will be interesting to see how the prop may evolve forWicked: Part Twonext year.
Oz’s History In Wicked Explained
The Land of Oz is one of the most iconic fantasy regions in fiction, and 2024’s new Wicked movie provides an all-new history for the area.
The character of Glinda is not the onlyconnection thatWickedhas toThe Wizard of Oz. The very opening sequence of theWickedfilm includes a wide shot of Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion walking down the iconic yellow-brick road. The creation of this yellow-brick road is even hinted at towards the end of the movie. As Jeff Goldblum’s Wizard shows Elphaba and Glinda around, he reveals a model of Oz and asks the two Shiz University students what color he should make the roads.
Our Take On Ariana Grande-Butera’s Glinda Wand Reaction
It Is Good To See TheWickedActors Connected With The Source Material
It is great to see the actors inWickedso deeply connected to the story’s legacy. The film does a great job honoring the stage version of the show andThe Wizard of Oz. Grande-Butera and her co-stars' deep connection with the original story undoubtedly made their performances better, leading to the well-balanced movie musical thatWickedis.
Wicked
Cast
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
