Ariana Grande is ready for a major shift in her career, and it’s one that she calls both thrilling and “scary.” In a candid interview on the Las Culturistas podcast on Nov. 6, the pop sensation opened up about her evolving artistic direction following her role as Glinda in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. While pop music will always be a part of her journey, Grande revealed that her experience with musical theater has inspired her to focus more on Broadway moving forward.
“I’m going to say something so scary — it’s going to scare the absolute s— out of my fans and everyone,” Grande confessed, speaking with her Wicked costar Bowen Yang, who co-hosts the podcast with Matt Rogers. Despite the gravity of the shift, Grande reassured her fans that pop music would never be fully abandoned. “I’m always going to make music, I’m always going to go on stage, I’m always going to do pop stuff, I pinky promise,” she said. But she continued, “I don’t think doing it at the rate I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years is where I see the next 10 years.”
Grande’s sentiment comes after a profound experience reconnecting with her musical theater roots. Before becoming a household name in pop music, Ariana’s journey began as a theater performer in the Broadway show 13: The Musical. Now, with Wicked offering her the opportunity to return to her roots, Grande has found that musical theater allows her to tap into a side of herself that brings her deep joy and fulfillment.
For Grande, theater is “my heart,” she explained. “Reconnecting with this part of myself who started in musical theater, and who loves comedy… it heals me to do that.” She further reflected on the creative freedom musical theater offers, saying that playing roles that allow her to explore new characters and bring her bits, voices, and songs to life brings her immense satisfaction. “Whatever makes sense, or whatever roles we see fit, or where I could really do a good job or honor the material, I would really love to,” she added, her voice emotional as she spoke.
Her new direction isn’t just a love for theater—it’s a response to her desire for balance in her career. After years of nonstop pop releases, Grande is yearning for a change, one that would allow her to both enjoy the work and stay true to herself as an artist. While her fans may be nervous about the shift, Ariana made it clear that this new path feels like a natural evolution.
Additionally, Grande shared an emotional moment during her Saturday Night Live hosting gig on October 12, where she met music legend Stevie Nicks. “She had written me a letter a few years ago,” Grande recalled of Nicks, noting that the two had only previously spoken through letters. The encounter was so surreal that Grande couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the experience.
As Wicked approaches its theatrical debut on Nov. 22, the excitement surrounding Grande’s return to Broadway is palpable. Wicked: Part One hits theaters on Nov. 22, and the follow-up, Wicked: Part Two, is slated for release on Nov. 26, 2025. Alongside Grande, the film stars Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Peter Dinklage, and more, making it one of the most star-studded movie events of the year.
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