Could you imagine the Wicked movie's Glinda the Good Witch as anyone else other than Ariana Grande? Well, Dove Cameron just revealed she was actually in the running to step into Glinda's billowing pink gown and towering crown, too.
A few days ago, Dove Cameron shared that she auditioned for the role of Galinda/Glinda the Good Witch in the forthcoming film adaptations of the stage musical Wicked, calling the experience one of the "longest processes" she's ever been part of.
"I definitely went out for it," the Schmigadoon! star told TheWrap. Glinda is a widely coveted role ("Popular," one might argue), a character Dove said she's dreamed of playing since she was young — but the part ultimately went to another top-tier singer and notable theater kid, Ariana Grande. However, Dove has no hard feelings about the casting; she and Ariana not only worked together on 2016's Hairspray Live!, but have known each other since they were child stars.
"I'm so excited for Ariana. She's a genuinely dear friend of mine," Dove said. "We met when we were super young. I think she's gonna kill it. I think the whole cast is phenomenal head to toe. So, like, as a fan, I'm really, really excited to see it." Dove currently works with Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth — who originated the role of Glinda onstage back in 2003 — on Schmigadoon!, and has starred in several Broadway and Off-Broadway productions herself, most notably playing Cher in Clueless: The Musical.
Meanwhile, Ariana has been super busy filming the two-part film adaptation of the wildly popular Broadway production. We've gotten a few sneak peeks of what's to come, including a behind-the-scenes pic of Ari and her costar Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, at rehearsals and a few first looks at both actors in their costumes, including Cynthia in Elphaba's hat and Ari in that iconic pink dress. The first installment of Wicked is set to hit theaters November 27, 2024.
