Wicked‘s main stars address the rumors that Elphaba and Glinda have a romantic connection. Wicked adapts the first half of the Tony-winning musical of the same name while also taking inspiration from the book by Gregory Maguire. The film is directed by Crazy Rich Asians helmer Jon M. Chu, with a script written by Dana Fox and Winnie Holzman. The film releases in theaters today, November 22, facing up at the box office against Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. Wicked features a leading cast including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, and Jonathan Bailey.
Speaking with The Gay Times, Wicked stars Erivo and Grande discuss the romantic ship rumors between Glinda and Elphaba. Neither actor completely denied the deep connection between the two lead characters. Erivo noted that the pair has “a real relationship,” which she sees as the reason behind “why people are shipping it.” Grande added that the pair provide “such a safe space for one another.” She also teased that “Glinda might be a little in the closet” but that it is “just a true love” that “transcends sexuality.” Check out the full quotes below:
Erivo: I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have. I think they do have a real relationship, it is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond.
Grande: [Glinda and Elphaba provide] such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be. So, you know, whether it’s romantic or platonic — Glinda might be a little in the closet — but if there were a time, you never know. Give it a little more time. It is just a true love and I think that transcends sexuality.
What The Actors’ Response Means For Wicked
The Original Glinda Actor Has Echoed This Sentiment
Canonically, Glinda and Elphaba are not lovers, but roommates. As starkly different people, the Wicked stars start as nemeses before eventually warming up to each other and having a deeper connection. As per Grande and Erivo, it seems that it is this deep connection that makes some audiences see beyond the platonic when they look at the Wicked leads. However, both Glinda and Elphaba have a romantic interest in Fiyero at some point in the story, making it unlikely that the Wicked universe would ever make a romantic relationship between Glinda and Elphaba official.
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Grande is not the only person, however, who suspects that Glinda may not be the straight woman that she is traditionally presented as in Wicked. While Grande referred to her as a “gay icon,” original Glinda actor Kristin Chenoweth has also commented online that she “thought so too way back when.” The combination of both Chenoweth and Grande, two people who have worked closely with the Good Witch character, thinking that Glinda might be gay, makes this element of her character a lot more plausible.
Our Take On Glinda And Elphaba’s Relationship
A Romance Between Them Makes Some Thematic Sense
Even if Wicked‘s Elphaba-Glinda romance will likely never be canonized, it makes sense why there is a resurgence in this idea as people see Wicked. After all, Elphaba is portrayed as a social outcast because of a difference that she cannot control, which can be read as a analogy for the kind of ostracization historically faced by the gay community. Emerald City is also full of people from all walks of life, promoting an open and accepting environment that Grande herself compared to a “Pride parade.” As more people see Wicked, it will be interesting to see if further comparisons arise.
Source: The Gay Times
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
- Director
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Jon M. Chu
- Release Date
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November 22, 2024
- Studio(s)
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Marc Platt Productions
- Distributor(s)
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Universal Pictures
- Writers
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Gregory Maguire
, Winnie Holzman
, Dana Fox
, L. Frank Baum - Cast
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Cynthia Erivo
, Ariana Grande
, Michelle Yeoh
, Jeff Goldblum
, Jonathan Bailey
, Ethan Slater
, Marissa Bode
, Bowen Yang
, Bronwyn James
, Keala Settle
, Peter Dinklage
, Aaron Teoh
, Grecia De la Paz
, Colin Michael Carmichael
, Adam James
, Andy Nyman
, Courtney Mae-Briggs
, Sharon D. Clarke
, Jenna Boyd - Character(s)
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Elphaba Thropp
, Glinda Upland
, Madame Morrible
, The Wizard
, Fiyero Tigelaar
, Boq
, Nessarose Thropp
, Pfannee
, ShenShen
, Miss Coddle
, Doctor Dillamond (voice)
, Avaric Tenmeadows
, Gilligan
, Professor Nikidik
, Glinda’s Father
, Governor Frexspar Thropp
, Melena Thropp
, The Midwife - Runtime
-
160 Minutes
