With the theatrical release of Wicked just around the corner, fans of the beloved musical are buzzing as a new video gives a sneak peek of Ariana Grande’s rendition of the iconic song “Popular“. Set to hit theaters on November 22, 2024, the film adaptation of the smash-hit Broadway musical is directed by Jon M. Chu and brings the magic of Oz to the big screen in a way audiences have never seen before.
This adaptation marks the first part of Chu’s two-part reimagining of Wicked, which is based on the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, expectations are understandably sky-high for their interpretations of the musical’s iconic numbers. And judging by the teaser of Grande’s take on “Popular” — a song originally made famous by Kristin Chenoweth’s bubbly portrayal of Glinda — both stars are already proving themselves as stellar choices for these cherished roles.
However, further examination reveals that the confusion about these lyrics is popular. In fact, Genius refers to the lyrics as “proper poise”. On the Original Broadway Cast Recording, Kristin Chenoweth’s Glinda clearly says “ploys.” In addition, the term “ploys” appears in the lyric video on the official Wicked Broadway YouTube channel. The Universal music department submitted a lyric sheet with Entertainment Weekly, personally approved by lyricist Stephan Schwartz, confirming that “ploys” is the correct word.
For fans of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked dives deeper, focusing on the untold story of Elphaba, the misunderstood young woman who grapples with her unique powers and green skin, and her surprising friendship with Glinda, a charming, ambitious woman defined by privilege. This narrative adds new layers to the land of Oz, showcasing the journey of two young women who discover their true selves in a society that sees them as opposites.
In addition to Grande and Erivo’s powerhouse performances, Wicked features an impressive ensemble cast: Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and Ethan Slater as Boq. Rounding out the lineup are Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Bronwyn James as ShenShen, Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, Andy Nyman as Frexspar, and Courtney-Mae Briggs as Melena.
Nonetheless, the film promises to stay true to its musical roots while bringing a fresh cinematic experience, setting the stage for Wicked Part Two in 2025. With the enchanting world of Oz, a tale of friendship and transformation, and music that has captured hearts worldwide, Wicked is set to soar to new heights on the silver screen. For now, watch Ariana Grande’s version of “Popular” above and get ready to defy gravity when Wicked opens in theaters this November!
