Idina Menzel revealed the advice she imparted to Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who will respectively play Glinda and Elphaba in the big-screen adaptation of Wicked.
Menzel, who originated the role of Elphaba on Broadway, recalled what she told the two leading ladies of the complex, green-skinned character. “Just always keeping in mind that what’s underneath it all is just a woman that wants to be loved,” Menzel told E! News.
She noted Elphaba isn’t just looking to be accepted, she also “has incredible power” and “she just has to figure out how to harness that and get it out in the world.”
When it came to doling out advice to both actresses, Menzel said she told them to “think of all the other little young women or men that are or anybody that are watching them to see what it’s like to be different but be beautiful and to own that.”
Menzel added she has total faith in Ariana and Cynthia. “They don’t need my help. They are so supremely talented,” the Broadway legend expressed. “I just said, ‘Look, if you’re ever having a day and you need to kind of get back to what it’s all about, I’m here if you want to talk, that’s all.'”
Wicked, a musical retelling of The Wizard of Oz originally starring Kristin Chenoweth and Menzel as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, made its Broadway debut in 2003. Menzel later earned the Tony Award for Best Actress in 2004.
Wicked, the movie, is currently in production and will be split into two films. The first installment is slated to hit theaters in December 2024.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Ellen DeGeneres returns to standup, addresses being cancelled
April 26, 2024
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Live NationEllen DeGeneres kicked off her Ellen’s Last Stand ...…
Louis Tomlinson drops surprise live album recorded on tour
April 26, 2024
Chiaki Nozu/WireImageIf you weren’t able to catch Louis Tomlinson on his last two world tours, he’s…
Now on Netflix: ‘Dead Boy Detectives’
April 25, 2024
Netflix/Ed AraquelOn Thursday, Netflix dropped all eight episodes of the supernatural series Dead…
Pet Shop Boys singer says Taylor Swift’s catalog lacks “famous songs”: “What is [her] ‘Billie Jean’?”
April 25, 2024
Gilbert Flores/Golden Globes 2024/Golden Globes 2024 via Getty ImagesNeil Tennant, the lead singer…
‘The Bear’, ‘Bluey’, ‘Judy Blume Forever’ and ‘Marvel’s Moon Girl’ all nominated for Peabody Awards
April 25, 2024
'The Bear' - FX/Matt DinersteinOn Thursday, the Board of Jurors of the Peabody Awards announced the…
Sophia Bush opens up on finding unexpected love with Ashlyn Harris: “I didn’t see it until I saw it”
April 25, 2024
Lauren Dukoff/GlamourActress Sophia Bush is opening up about finding new love with former soccer…
Rebel Wilson’s accusations against Sacha Baron Cohen won’t appear in UK version of book ‘Rebel Rising’
April 25, 2024
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for AFIWhile her new book, Rebel Rising, sees Rebel Wilson making some…
Selena’s boyfriend Benny Blanco says falling for her was a ‘Clueless’ moment
April 25, 2024
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesRemember when Taylor Swift sang, "Dreaming…