Ariana Grande says her new darker hair is not a farewell to Glinda but simply a way to try something different. The 32-year-old singer and actress swapped her Glinda-era blonde for a brunette tone as she returns to the role alongside Cynthia Erivo in Wicked: For Good.
For the film’s European premiere, London’s Leicester Square was transformed into the Land of Oz, with green and pink decor and a yellow brick road. Fans arrived in witches’ hats, green makeup and sparkly gowns channeling Glinda’s signature style.
Erivo described closing the Wicked chapter as overwhelming, and Grande added that the whole experience feels beautiful. The sequel continues after Elphaba and Glinda part ways: Elphaba has become an enemy of Oz, while Glinda has risen to public prominence under the influence of the Wizard.
The returning cast includes Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey reprising Prince Fiyero, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard. Bailey, recently named People’s first-ever openly gay Sexiest Man Alive, praised director Jon M. Chu as a genius, joked about being cast, and said the film’s romantic storyline resonated with instincts he already had.
When fans suggested Grande’s brunette look was a goodbye to Glinda, she told BBC News the change was meant to suit the sequel’s darker wardrobe and beauty palette. She called the look fun, and Erivo smiled in agreement.
The films are adapted from the hit Broadway and West End musical, itself based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. The stage show was split into two movies; the second installment opens on 21 November. Both films were shot simultaneously at Sky Studios Elstree between December 2022 and January 2024, with production briefly paused during the Hollywood actors’ strike.
The first movie became the UK’s highest-grossing film of 2024, earning 10 Oscar nominations and winning two awards for best costume and production design. Its runtime was about two hours and 40 minutes; the sequel runs roughly two hours and 18 minutes.
Grande and Erivo’s chemistry and friendship produced several viral interview moments during the first film’s promotion, and the pair performed a Wicked medley to open the Academy Awards in March. Director Chu has said the sequel includes two new songs that moved Grande and Erivo to tears when they first heard them.
Wicked: For Good is in cinemas on 21 November.
