Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are basking in well-deserved praise for their captivating performances as Glinda and Elphaba in the blockbuster Wicked. However, behind the scenes, the journey to landing these iconic roles was anything but simple.
Director Jon M. Chu and the cast have been vocal about the intense, months-long audition process that both Grande and Erivo underwent. Their dedication and talent ultimately secured them these coveted parts, leaving an indelible mark on the beloved story.
However, they weren’t the only stars vying for these roles. Among the hopefuls was Mamma Mia! and Les Misérables star Amanda Seyfried, who openly shared her own journey of auditioning for the role of Glinda.
A recently resurfaced video of Seyfried singing Glinda’s signature song, “Popular,” in a whimsical, Glinda-inspired dress sparked rumors that it was part of her audition for Wicked. Seyfried clarified that the video, recorded in 2020 during a Lancôme shoot, was not an official audition. Her stylist, Elizabeth Stewart, had recorded the clip while Seyfried playfully embraced the Glinda vibe of the dress.
In a conversation with People, Seyfried admitted that the video, later shared by Stewart to celebrate Seyfried’s Golden Globe nomination, might have unintentionally fueled the speculation. While the video wasn’t part of her formal audition, Seyfried did indeed go through the demanding audition process for Wicked, spending months in consideration for the role.
Despite not landing the role, Seyfried has nothing but admiration for the final product. She praised Ariana Grande for her performance, calling the film a “fantastic” spectacle and noting that even her kids are fans of the movie’s soundtrack. Seyfried believes everything worked out as it was meant to, and she remains a big supporter of the Wicked cast and crew.
While Seyfried didn’t get to play Glinda, she has exciting projects on the horizon. She’s set to star alongside Sydney Sweeney in the upcoming thriller Housemaid, based on a 2022 novel. Though not a musical, fans are holding out hope that Seyfried might return to singing in a future Mamma Mia! installment.
In the meantime, Wicked continues to enchant audiences, and its soundtrack is sure to be on repeat in many households, including Seyfried’s.