Ariana Grande-Butera reveals how filming with Cynthia Erivo for Glinda and Elphaba’s pivotal duet in Wicked: For Good provided her with an experience unlike anything else she has done during the production of the two-part musical adaptation. Following on from 2024’s Wicked, the 2025 sequel reunites with Glinda and Elphaba during the events of the original tale of The Wizard of Oz. Wicked: For Good sees Grande-Butera’s Galinda step into the role of Glinda the Good Witch, as Oz brands Elphaba an enemy of the people.
After Wicked left audiences in wonder, Grande-Butera teased to Variety that there is still even more spectacle to come as she opened up about filming one of Wicked: For Good’s most essential numbers. When speaking about “For Good”, the star stated that the experience stood out to her most out of everything she had done for the two-part adaptation. The week of filming had left an incredible impact on her, leaving her feeling out of her body at several points:
Shooting ‘For Good’ was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It was such a long and emotional process. I kind of left my body. We filmed it over the course of a week, and it stayed with me.
Furthermore, Grande-Butera admitted that she had yet to look at any of the footage herself, stating she was unsure if she was ready to revisit the memory just yet. Check out Grande-Butera’s response below:
I haven’t even seen the final cut yet because I’m not sure I’m ready to feel all of it again
What Grande-Butera’s Duet Comments Means For Wicked: For Good
The Number Is The End Of A Emotional Journey
Within the original Wicked musical, “For Good” is the penultimate number before the show ends, set just before Elphaba meets her fate from the L. Frank Baum classic. She and Glinda share one last farewell before the Wicked Witch faces the water that will bring her end in an emotional duet.
There is no doubt that both Grande-Butera and Erivo will have given their all to bringing the song to the big screen, given the high standards set by their duets throughout the 2024 movie. But with “For Good” acting as the ultimate parting of the ways between the two friends after much love and conflict, the number is sure to leave audiences teary-eyed once Wicked: For Good hits theatres.
Our Thoughts On Grande-Butera’s Wicked: For Good Tease
The Production Has Been An Emotional Experience For The Star
For Grande-Butera, Wicked has been a monumental journey both professionally and personally. Alongside being her first major leading theatrical role, portraying Galinda/Glinda also fulfills a personal goal of hers, calling back to her days as a theater kid and early on-stage roles, and the star has been open about her pᴀssion for the show throughout her experience bringing it to the big-screen.
While the adaptation of certain songs in Wicked has shown that the movie has amplified the scale to make their performances more cinematic, it is clear that recording Wicked: For Good‘s penultimate number was also emotionally overwhelming for the star. As such, Grande-Butera’s tease is sure to leave viewers eager to see what awaits them when the final chapter arrives in November 2025.
Source: Variety
