Ariana Grande Reacts to Golden Globes Nomination for ‘Wicked’

Ariana Grande might still be the greatest Evil Fan does exist, even though she actually stars in the Jon M. Chu-directed film. In fact, she thinks she’s seen the film ten times.

“I lost count,” Grande said on the morning of her Golden Globes nomination about how many times she had seen the film. She recalled a funny moment that happened when she watched the film along with some of her family in a private screening. “I think I’m at 10. When I was watching it with my nonna in Florida, I looked at my phone a few times and my mom said, ‘Ariana, put your phone down!’ And I thought, ‘Mommy, not only did I see it, I’m in it!’ I thought, ‘I know what’s happening here.’ I think I can quickly check what was just sent to me!’ She says, ‘Ariana, you’re talking!'”

Grande was nominated for Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in any Motion Picture category alongside Selena Gomez (Emilia Perez), Felicity Jones (The brutalist), Margaret Qualley (The substance), Isabella Rossellini (conclave) and Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Perez).

Evil It also received nominations for Lead Actress Cynthia Erivo, Film and Box Office, and Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy.

Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge, which also includes Penske Media Eldridge The Hollywood Reporter.

After the Golden Globes nominations were announced, Grande spoke THR about the film’s nominations, the emotional press tour and growing up with her fans.

But you worked on this film for three years Evil himself has been with you for much longer. How does it feel to now be recognized for this alongside Cynthia Erivo?

It just feels incredibly surreal. This is certainly not what you expect. I just find it so surreal and I feel so deeply grateful. We were just really into the work and I was so grateful to have the chance to do the work and I was so excited every day to do the work. From preparing for my first audition to the final day on the set of both films, I lived each day with deep gratitude. And we, Cynthia and I, did our best to stay present with each other at work. And I’m just so proud and grateful as a friend, as a partner, with Cynthia and as a literal citizen of Oz, everyone has put their whole heart into this and every single detail, every layer of it is palpable. And I don’t know, I’m just so grateful. It’s hard to articulate.

What surprised you during filming?

I think we loved surprising each other every day. Jon Chu is such a brilliant, meticulous and thoughtful director who delivers shot after shot, the perfect storyboard and music to go along with it. And he has this meticulous vision that he has in his head. But what I like most is that he gets this version of it and then he just wants to play and ends up with something that’s full of surprises and he calls it “catching butterflies.” And I think that’s what we were all able to feel and do every day thanks to this environment that inspired freedom, truth and honesty in playing and improvising. He caught all the butterflies from all of us and I think it takes a great leader to bring out those butterflies.

The film was also nominated for Best Comedy/Musical and deals with issues of acceptance, discrimination and representation, but is also deeply funny. I was curious how you personally found the balance between the comedy and the heavier themes of the film.

First of all, thank you very much. But it’s all about honesty, honest. And I think with comedy people often forget that often one of the cardinal rules of comedy is that we don’t play the joke, we play the truth, and that’s what makes the thing come across. So with Glinda there’s a lot of dimension and underneath the surface there’s a lot of fears and insecurities that you do your best to make sure are present in the comedy. And of course the complex grief she experiences throughout “No One Mourns the Wicked.” There’s a lot behind it. She feels guilt for the way she feels complicit in what all of this has become of Elphaba. There is disappointment because what would have happened if she had stayed? Many people ask what would have happened if Glinda had left with her on the broomstick. But there is also the opposite of that and there is a lot going on. So I think there’s even more scope for comedy. Honestly, if you don’t wait too much for the laugh, you just kind of have to respect what Glinda is feeling and hope the rest makes sense. But as I said, Jon was also just so inspiring in terms of play. Of course we got a shot of the scene as it was described and then he just said, “Okay, what would Glinda do next?” Just do whatever. Just play.” And I think that’s how we found a lot of these butterflies.

The press tour for this film was huge. Are you exhausted?

I think it’s funny because a lot of people ask us, “Are you just exhausted?” Are you dead?” And it’s funny because I think our bodies feel it more than our actual consciousness. We are just so excited. I am so grateful and excited and ready and grateful for this next phase. It’s funny because in the first phase of the press tour the film wasn’t really out yet so we didn’t know how people would react. No one understood why we were sobbing every two seconds, and some people still don’t understand, and that’s totally okay. But now that it is known to the world, a whole new discussion can be had. There are so many new granular levels for us to delve into, and fun things like watching fans’ reactions and their TikToks pretending to be Glinda’s grandma and seeing the hat on the news saying, ” Wait, that’s my hat!” And learn the choreography. It belongs to the world now. That’s why I’m grateful for this next phase and look forward to continuing to talk about the work that goes into it and telling more stories of brilliance at every level. Like (cinematographer) Alice Brooks and (costume designer) Paul Tazewell and (production designer) Nathan Crowley are so amazing, and the fact that when it came to the lighting cues for the Oz Dust Ballroom (scene), there were 500 different lighting cues that had to be for that scene programmed because it’s a 10-minute scene that we didn’t edit out in the room. It is a privilege to be able to tell these stories and explore more questions so that we can continue to celebrate the work of every single person who was involved and put their heart and soul into it.

How has your fandom changed since your performance? Eviland your relationship with your fans?

(Tears) Sorry, I’m emotional. It’s interesting because my fans have grown with me through so many different phases and eras of music and phases of my life, and I think they’ve embraced Glinda and me in a way Evil and was there to support me… I wasn’t on social media at all during the filming process. I wasn’t as engaged as I normally am with them because I just wanted to fully commit to the experience and not be on the phone as much. And they called it “The Dark Ages.” I’m not kidding. And that’s just because they missed me. But it’s a beautiful thing. It’s a beautiful thing to be on the other side and for them to recognize the work I’ve done and grow with them. I’ve truly grown up with them my entire career and my entire adult life, and we’ve grown together and they’ve embraced this new chapter in a way that I’m truly deeply grateful for. I just really want to make her proud. It’s beautiful. I am very grateful.