Following the historic, record-shattering premiere of the film Wicked: For Good, global pop icon Ariana Grande has penned a deeply emotional open letter to fans, sharing her profound reflections on her time portraying Glinda the Good Witch.
A Heartfelt Farewell to a 'Safe Space'
The Grammy-winning singer, 32, shared the lengthy and candid note on her social media channels just as the cinematic adaptation soared to the top of the box office. In her message, Grande revealed that the enchanted Land of Oz has been her personal 'safe space for as long as' she can remember, making the role deeply personal from the outset.
She detailed the powerful emotional lessons she learned through the story's narrative, which she stated have fundamentally shaped her. These included learning 'how to love unconditionally,' 'to forgive,' and perhaps most poignantly, 'to fiercely protect ourselves and each other… and to fight for what is truly, deeply good.'
A Transformative Role and Unbreakable Bond
Grande went on to describe the immense significance of stepping into the iconic role of Glinda, characterising the entire experience as nothing less than transformative. 'Becoming your Glinda the Good and being asked to join this most wonderful group of human beings on a most creatively and emotionally fulfilling journey was the greatest gift of my life,' she wrote. She added that she has learned more from her time with the character than from anyone else.
The star also acknowledged the powerful, reciprocal bond between the production and its devoted fanbase. Seeing how the story of Wicked has impacted audiences in 'the same way that it has for me over the course of my life has been the most meaningful, moving and cherished gift of all,' she expressed.
Record-Breaking Box Office Success
This outpouring of emotion comes on the heels of a monumental commercial debut for Wicked: For Good. The film delivered one of the biggest openings of the year, achieving a record-breaking $150 million in North America and an impressive $226 million worldwide during its very first weekend in cinemas.
According to industry reports, this phenomenal launch now gives the film the largest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, surpassing the debut of the first Wicked film last year. It also ranks as the third-largest opening of all time among musical films, trailing only behind modern classics like The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017).
As she signed off her letter, Grande left fans with a final, comforting thought: 'whenever things get scary or you feel alone, home is wherever and with whomever we want it to be… Your chosen Ozian family loves you exactly as you are.' She concluded with, 'Love always, Ariana (Your Glinda).'
