I have to admit, I am not an Ariana Grande fan, nor am I familiar with any of her songs. You could call me uninformed, indifferent, or simply an old soul. That said, I was genuinely surprised by what I discovered while watching Wicked. For those who know me, they’ll tell you I don’t hand out praise for acting lightly. I need to feel a character through the actor—a connection that resonates deeply. If that happens, it means the actor has delivered something truly extraordinary.
Before diving into Ariana Grande’s performance and her well-deserved Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, let’s explore the character she brought to life and how her portrayal gave it depth and complexity. If you’ve seen the film, feel free to read on. If not, be warned—there are spoilers ahead. Proceed at your own discretion.
Galinda Upland, who later becomes Glinda the Good, starts out as a popular but self-absorbed young woman at Shiz University. But who was she before becoming the epitome of goodness? As Wicked shows us, Galinda is vain, self-centered, and, in many ways, a bully hiding behind her charm. She feels threatened by anyone more talented or confident, like Elphaba. Though she craves magical power, she lacks it. Instead, she surrounds herself with a circle of people who look down on anyone they perceive as beneath them—Elphaba included.
One pivotal moment captures Galinda’s complexity perfectly. She stumbles upon her grandmother’s old, unattractive hat while preparing for a party hosted by Fiyero. Looking at the hat, she decides it’s fit for no one, but then offers it to Elphaba as a joke. Elphaba, unaware of the malicious intent, wears the hat to the party, where she becomes the target of ridicule. At first, Galinda joins in, relishing the prank. But as the scene unfolds, her laughter fades. Watching Elphaba courageously take center stage and dance with grace despite the mocking crowd, Galinda has a moment of realization. What was meant to humiliate Elphaba instead highlights her strength, leaving Galinda questioning her own actions.
This moment marks a turning point for Galinda. Instead of continuing her cruelty, she steps in, demonstrating an awareness and empathy we hadn’t seen before. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (as Elphaba) are perfectly in sync here, delivering a powerful scene that symbolizes unity, growth, and the start of an unlikely friendship. It’s a standout moment that reflects the complexity of bullying, redemption, and human connection.
Grande’s performance in this scene is stunning. She convincingly transforms Galinda from a shallow, self-centered girl into someone with depth and humanity. Her performance carries the emotional weight of the film, blending comedic timing with genuine vulnerability. Grande’s ability to convey this transformation so naturally is a testament to her talent.
This is why Ariana Grande deserves her Oscar nomination. She takes a character that could have been easily dismissed as one-dimensional and turns her into someone audiences can empathize with and root for. Her performance transcends expectations, creating a portrayal that is unforgettable. It’s hard to imagine anyone else bringing Galinda to life with the same nuance and authenticity.
Even if Ariana Grande doesn’t win the Oscar—perhaps losing to Zoe Saldana—she should take immense pride in her achievement. With Wicked, Grande proved she is more than just a pop star; she is a gifted actress capable of redefining herself and surprising even the most skeptical viewers, myself included. She has earned every bit of acclaim, not because of her fame, but because of her raw talent. I, for one, will be watching and cheering her on, because she has shown us all what she’s truly capable of.
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