‘Wicked’ star Ariana Grande thinks Glinda is ‘a bit in the closet’

On By Littum

Ariana Grande shares a popular opinion.

The actress, 31, reflected on the relationship her character Glinda has with Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba in the recently released “Wicked” movie. Grande noted that their friendship could be interpreted as a queer allegory along with other aspects of the film and the film where it all started, “The Wizard of Oz.”

The singer told Gay Times in an interview published Thursday, that the two provide “such a safe space for each other.”

Kristin Chenoweth poses at the Ozdust Ball “Wicked” New York City Premiere at the Museum of Modern Art on November 14, 2024 in New York City. Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Kristin Chenoweth and Ariana Grande attend a special cast and filmmaker screening of Wicked at the DGA Theater on October 28, 2024 in New York City. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Pictures

“Which is what all relationships should be. So you know if it’s romantic or platonic—Glinda might be a little in the closet—but if there was a time, you never know. Give it a little more time.”

“Every day in Emerald City is a Pride parade, right?” Grande continued. “Even the chickens … those chickens are gay.”

The “Victorious” alum went on to call out Peter Dinklage’s Dr. Dillamond, Shiz University’s goat history professor, as a “gay icon”.

Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande in “Wicked”. Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
“Wicked” from left: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, 2024. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel at curtain call. FilmMagic

“I mean, Dr. Dillamond in that Bode cardigan … Let’s talk about it,” Grande teased. “Let’s talk for a moment about him and his custom tea set. With his tea and his cardigan, I’m just throwing it out there!”

As many fans have shipped the characters over the years, she explained, “It’s just a true love, and I think it transcends sexuality. It’s just a deep security in each other.”

Kristin Chenoweth, who played the Good Witch in the original “Wicked” on Broadway, also chimed in on the theory, commenting to E! News’ Instagram post“That’s what I thought way back when…”

Ariana Grande in “Wicked”. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection
Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

As for Elphaba, Erivo, 37, told “Gay Times,” “She goes wherever the wind blows.”

“I think she loves Glinda. I think she loves love,” the “Harriet” alum said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that they both have.”

Erivo added, “I think they have a real relationship, it’s real love, which is probably why people ship it, because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond.”

Both stars also noted that the queer allegories extend beyond their characters, with Grande pointing out that the most used word in the original L. Frank Baum books was “queer.”

“Oz is just a celebration of the unique,” she thought. “And everyone is so beautiful in Oz, and I don’t even think it’s a conscious decision. Everyone is just so beautifully queer.”

Actor Joel Gray and actress Kristin Chenoweth perform on stage during the opening of the Broadway musical “Wicked” at The Gershwin Theater on October 30, 2003 in New York City. Getty Images

Grande, who is currently dating her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater, previously revealed that Part 1 of the project ends with Glinda and Elphaba having “really fallen in love.”

“(They) get the chance to say, ‘I see you and I love you,'” she shared BBC. “‘And I don’t agree, but I love you and I want it for you.’