Wicked star Ariana Grande-Butera discussed how special being nominated for an Oscar for her first starring role is. The story of Wicked follows Elphaba and Glinda as they form an unlikely friendship at Shiz University, which is then put to the test after they find out the truth about The Wizard of Oz. Reviews for Wicked have been exceptional, and critics and audiences have specifically applauded Grande-Butera for her portrayal of Glinda in the film.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Grande-Butera explains that her role in Wicked is allowing people to see a more true side of her, which she is extremely grateful for. Her role as Glinda in Wicked, Grande-Butera has been nominated for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category at the Academy Awards. Additionally, she details how receiving recognition for her role as Glinda has felt different from the recognition she has received as a pop star. Read Grande-Butera’s full comments below:

It’s a beautiful thing to feel like the work that I’m doing or have done is kind of, I suppose, I don’t know, enough or louder or whatever it is. This feeling that people are seeing me — like, actually me — it’s so silly because I’ve been seen for so long, but it feels like it’s maybe for the first time and it’s just different.

At a certain point, you get tired of that [pop star] character, because it is a character. There are pieces of you and your story that are woven throughout your songwriting, but then, because of the way it travels and becomes sensationalized, it gets away from you. And beneath all of it is just a girl from Boca who loves art, and I think that’s why it’s been such a deeply healing gift to disappear into this character — to take off one mask and put on another.

Will Grande-Butera Win An Oscar For Her Role In Wicked?

Grande-Butera Excels In Wicked

Alongside Cynthia Erivo, who played Elphaba, Grande-Butera was a standout in Wicked. Grande-Butera was perhaps the funniest character in the movie, and also contributed to some of the best songs. In particular, Grande-Butera singing “Popular,” one of the most well-known songs from the Broadway musical, was one of the best moments in the musical. Overall, Grande-Butera gives an amazing performance in Wicked, and it will be exciting to watch her as Glinda once again in the upcoming Wicked: For Good.

After the acclaim she received for her role in Wicked, it was not surprising when Grande-Butera started receiving Oscar buzz. At the 97th Academy Awards, Grande-Butera has a chance to win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. For the award, she is competing against A Complete Unknown’s Monica Barbaro, The Brutalist’s Felicity Jones, Conclave’s Isabella Rossellini, and Emilia Pérez’s Zoe Saldaña. Currently, Saldaña is viewed as the favorite, but there’s still a chance that Grande-Butera could win an Oscar.

Our Take On Grande-Butera’s Comments About Her Oscar Nomination

Grande-Butera Deserves An Oscar For Her Wicked Role

It is great to see how appreciative Grande-Butera is of the recognition she is receiving for her role. This recognition is not undeserved, as Grande-Butera is a perfect Glinda in Wicked. It is great that Grande-Butera has been able to express her art in a different way. Therefore, after all the effort and care Grande-Butera put into her Wicked role, it would be amazing to see her win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar at the Academy Awards.

Source: THR