WickedSpoilers! Ariana Grande Says Film 'Couldn't Have Happened' Without Amazing 'Full-Circle' Cameos (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Granda in ‘Wicked: Part One’.Photo:Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

Note: This article contains spoilers forWicked, in theaters now.Ariana Grandehas nothing but praise for theWickedmovie’s secret cast members.Wickedis an adaptation of the hit musical that is so faithful to its source material, it includes cameos from the original Broadway team.Idina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Oz witches Elphaba and Glinda back in 2003, appear midway through the characters’ introduction to the Emerald City.As Grande, 31, tells PEOPLE, theater fans have “loved” theJon M. Chu-directed movie’s two biggest guest stars “for 21 years on stage.” In the same “One Short Day” musical sequence,Wickedmusical creators Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman also make appearances in full Ozian get-up.“I mean, it was just such a surreal honor,” says Grande of filming alongside costarCynthia Erivowith those who originally birthed the show. “To be coming up with bits together with them and to watch them sing and to do their shtick,” she adds, was an “out-of-body experience, truly.”Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth at the ‘Wicked’ Los Angeles premiere on Nov. 9.Phillip Faraone/WireImageMenzel and Chenoweth, in fabulously colorful dresses, are given a grand entrance in the film. Playing members of a troupe of Emerald City singers performing the tale of the Wizard’s heroic arrival to Oz, they greet Erivo’s Elphaba and Grande’s Glinda, ushering them toward their appointment with the man behind the curtain himself.Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the film (inheriting the role from Broadway originator Norbert Leo Butz), tells PEOPLE it was special seeing the two Elphabas and two Glindas unite onscreen.“We watched it for the first time,” he says, at the movie’s Nov. 3Sydney, Australia premiere. “The image of the four of you… People went absolutely wild. And you realize how seminal that is and how singular the four of you are.”“It was emotional,” recalls Grande.Wicked: Part One“couldn’t have happened without that piece because this entire film is a love letter to [Menzel and Chenoweth] and to the original Broadway show. So it felt like a really imperative and full-circle moment and a gift as a fan.”Says Bailey, “It’s a real moment.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.(Left-right:) Idina Menzel, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth at the ‘Wicked’ Los Angeles premiere on Nov. 9.Gilbert Flores/Variety via GettyMenzel, 53, and Chenoweth, 56, joined the movie’s two leadsat the Los Angeles premiereon Nov. 9. Also attending were cast membersJeff Goldblum,Marissa Bode,Jonathan Bailey,Michelle Yeoh,Ethan SlaterandBronwyn James.Wicked: Part Oneis in theaters now, withPart Twodue Nov. 26, 2025. Go behind the scenes ofWickedwith PEOPLE’s new special issue, availablehere.

Note: This article contains spoilers forWicked, in theaters now.

Ariana Grandehas nothing but praise for theWickedmovie’s secret cast members.

Wickedis an adaptation of the hit musical that is so faithful to its source material, it includes cameos from the original Broadway team.

Idina MenzelandKristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Oz witches Elphaba and Glinda back in 2003, appear midway through the characters’ introduction to the Emerald City.

As Grande, 31, tells PEOPLE, theater fans have “loved” theJon M. Chu-directed movie’s two biggest guest stars “for 21 years on stage.” In the same “One Short Day” musical sequence,Wickedmusical creators Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman also make appearances in full Ozian get-up.

“I mean, it was just such a surreal honor,” says Grande of filming alongside costarCynthia Erivowith those who originally birthed the show. “To be coming up with bits together with them and to watch them sing and to do their shtick,” she adds, was an “out-of-body experience, truly.”

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth at the ‘Wicked’ Los Angeles premiere on Nov. 9.Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Phillip Faraone/WireImage

Menzel and Chenoweth, in fabulously colorful dresses, are given a grand entrance in the film. Playing members of a troupe of Emerald City singers performing the tale of the Wizard’s heroic arrival to Oz, they greet Erivo’s Elphaba and Grande’s Glinda, ushering them toward their appointment with the man behind the curtain himself.

Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero in the film (inheriting the role from Broadway originator Norbert Leo Butz), tells PEOPLE it was special seeing the two Elphabas and two Glindas unite onscreen.

“We watched it for the first time,” he says, at the movie’s Nov. 3Sydney, Australia premiere. “The image of the four of you… People went absolutely wild. And you realize how seminal that is and how singular the four of you are.”

“It was emotional,” recalls Grande.Wicked: Part One“couldn’t have happened without that piece because this entire film is a love letter to [Menzel and Chenoweth] and to the original Broadway show. So it felt like a really imperative and full-circle moment and a gift as a fan.”

Says Bailey, “It’s a real moment.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

(Left-right:) Idina Menzel, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Kristin Chenoweth at the ‘Wicked’ Los Angeles premiere on Nov. 9.Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty

Menzel, 53, and Chenoweth, 56, joined the movie’s two leadsat the Los Angeles premiereon Nov. 9. Also attending were cast membersJeff Goldblum,Marissa Bode,Jonathan Bailey,Michelle Yeoh,Ethan SlaterandBronwyn James.

Wicked: Part Oneis in theaters now, withPart Twodue Nov. 26, 2025. Go behind the scenes ofWickedwith PEOPLE’s new special issue, availablehere.

source: people.com