‘Wicked’ star Ariana Grande thinks Glinda is ‘a little in the closet’

Ariana Grande is sharing a popular opinion.

The actress, 31, reflected on the relationship her character Glinda has with Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in the newly released “Wicked” movie. Grande noted that their friendship could be interpreted as a queer allegory, along with other aspects of the movie and the film where it all started, the “Wizard of Oz.”

The singer told Gay Times in an interview published Thursday that the two provide “such a safe space for one another.”

Kristin Chenoweth poses at the Ozdust Ball “Wicked” New York City Premiere at the Museum of Modern Art on November 14, 2024 in New York City. Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande attend a Special Cast and Filmmakers Screening of Wicked at DGA Theater on October 28, 2024 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Pictures

“Which is what all relationships should be. So, you know, whether it’s romantic or platonic — Glinda might be a little in the closet — but if there were a time, you never know. Give it a little more time.”

“Every day in the Emerald City is a Pride parade, right?” Grande continued. “Even the chickens … those chickens are gay.”

The “Victorious” alum went on to call out Peter Dinklage’s Dr. Dillamond, Shiz University’s goat history professor, as a “gay icon.”

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande in “Wicked.” Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Wicked” from left: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, 2024. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel at curtain call. FilmMagic

“I mean, Dr. Dillamond in that Bode cardigan … Let’s talk about it,” teased Grande. “Let’s just talk for a minute about him and his custom tea device as well. With his tea and his cardigan, I’m just throwing it out there!”

As many fans shipped the characters over the years, she explained, “It is just a true love, and I think that transcends sexuality. It’s just a deep safety within each other.”

Kristin Chenoweth, who played the Good Witch in the original “Wicked” on Broadway, also chimed in on the theory, commenting on E! News’ Instagram post, “I thought so too way back when …”

Ariana Grande in “Wicked.” ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

As for Elphaba, Erivo, 37, told the “Gay Times,” “She goes wherever the wind blows.”

“I think she loves Glinda. I think she loves love,” the “Harriet” alum expressed. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have.”

Erivo added, “I think they do have a real relationship, it is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond.”

Both stars also noted that the queer allegories go beyond their characters, with Grande pointing out that the most used word in the original L. Frank Baum books was “queer.”

“Oz is just a celebration of uniqueness,” she mused. “And everyone is so beautiful in Oz, and I don’t think it even is a conscious decision. Everyone is just so beautifully queer.”

Actor Joel Grey and actress Kristin Chenoweth perform onstage during the opening night performance of the Broadway musical “Wicked” at The Gershwin Theatre October 30, 2003 in New York City. Getty Images

Grande, who is currently dating her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater, previously revealed that Part 1 of the project ends with Glinda and Elphaba having “truly fallen in love with each other.”

“[They] get the chance to say, ‘I see it for you and I love you,’” she told the BBC. “‘And I don’t agree, but I love you and I want it for you.’”





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