Ariana Grande Reveals Bold Shift Toward Musical Theater, Moving Away from Pop Music Following Wicked
By Website Content Manager
Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media Inc.
Grande is excited to “rediscover the side of herself that began in musical theater.”
Ariana Grande is changing things up!
The 31-year-old pop icon joined her Wicked co-star Bowen Yang on the Wednesday, Nov. 6, episode of the Las Culturistas podcast, which Yang co-hosts with actor Matt Rogers.
In their chat, Grande shared that her role as Glinda the Good Witch in the Universal film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical has inspired her to redirect her focus from pop music toward musical theater.
“Theater is where my heart is,” she expressed about her love for acting on stage.
Before her breakthrough role as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, the “Yes, And?” singer started out as a theater kid in 13: The Musical.
“I’m about to say something that might really shock my fans — it’ll absolutely freak them out, but I love them, and they’ll adjust, and we’re in this for the long haul,” Grande shared on Wednesday’s podcast episode. “I’ll always make music, perform, and do pop stuff — I pinky promise. But I don’t envision keeping up the same pace I’ve maintained over the last decade for the next ten years.”
Broadway offers Grande a chance to return to her roots.
“Reconnecting with the part of myself that started in musical theater, that loves comedy, and finds healing in performing — finding roles where I can bring these parts of myself to life in characters, voices, songs, and little moments,” she explained. “In whatever roles feel right, where I can truly honor the material, I’d love to take that path. I think it’s much healthier for me. I’m actually getting emotional.”
The “Thank U, Next” singer also shared with Yang, 34, and Rogers, 34, her recent experience working with music legend Stevie Nicks while hosting Saturday Night Live on October 12.
“She wrote me a letter a few years back,” Grande shared about her connection with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, 76. “So we had talked once before, but we had never actually met.”
Yang, a cast member on SNL, chimed in, “Ari and I were already on the floor, just giggling and being silly, and then they bring Stevie in, and I instantly knew to step back.”
