Ariana Grande to Use Real Name in Wicked Credits as She Embraces Role Transformation
In the upcoming Wicked film, fans will notice that Ariana Grande—who stars as Glinda the Good Witch—is credited under her full legal name, Ariana Grande-Butera. This change is something viewers will catch in the movie’s end credits, a decision that reflects her deeper commitment to authenticity in her work.
For Wicked, where she shares the screen with stars like Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang, Grande is embracing her roots by using her real name, Ariana Grande-Butera, honoring her family’s heritage. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, she shared, “There’s a part of the world that doesn’t know what goes into transforming one’s voice for a role, whether it’s singing, adopting a new dialect, or creating a character voice.” She further pointed out the contrast in perception between men and women in Hollywood, adding, “When a male actor does it, it’s celebrated. There may be jokes, but they’re often preceded by praise: ‘Oh, he was so immersed in the role.’ For me, it’s all part of the job.”
Despite criticism, Ariana remains proud of her work. “I’m incredibly proud of the hard work I’ve put in,” she shared. “I gave 100 percent, including my physicality, to bring Glinda to life. It’s something I’m fiercely protective of.” Her dedication also hasn’t gone unnoticed by her boyfriend, Ethan Slater—whom she met on set—who told GQ in October, “I’m really proud of Ari and the incredible work she’s done. She poured herself into this role, and I’m thrilled for the world to see it.”
Her real name, Grande-Butera, reflects both her parents’ names, Joan Grande and Edward Butera, while her half-brother Frankie Grande has also professionally shortened his own name.
Ariana’s voice will also be distinct in the film, adopting a higher pitch to capture Glinda’s character, a creative choice she’s proudly defended from critics. This is just one of many transformations Ariana embraced for the role, signaling her dedication to the project. Fans can look forward to seeing a new side of Grande in Wicked, both in name and performance.