Ariana Grande to keep voice change from ‘Wicked’: “I think that might stay”

Wicked star Ariana Grande has addressed the change in the way she talks since being cast in the film, and revealed that she will be keeping it.

• READ MORE: ‘Wicked’ review: hit musical makes gravity-defying leap to the big screen

Speaking to Variety alongside co-star Cynthia Erivo, Grande talked about how her singing and speaking voice has shifted to suit the role of Galinda in the film adaptation of the Broadway classic. The switch has brought some attention, but the and singer puts it down to artistic dedication.

“Maybe people underestimate how long we spent finding and disappearing into these women” she explained. “So, when certain inflections or mannerisms take time to melt away, sometimes people poke fun. But we had a job to do, and we had things to get lost in — because that’s what the piece required.”

As well as a more operatic style to her singing in the film, Grande adopted a lighter speaking tone in her acting, something she used during the film’s press tour. “I think that might stay” she said of the difference. “Galinda required a lot of vocal work for me. Certain things maybe won’t melt away. Some will, but I’m really grateful for the pieces that will stay with us forever. What a beautiful thing to be left with, and to feel the ghost of every day.”

In the interview, both Grande and Erivo discussed the success of Wicked, which has gained Golden Globe nominations for both stars, as well as being tipped for Academy Awards success.

“I feel so grateful and proud of how present we’ve been able to be” Grande said. “A lot of people have come up to us and been like, ‘How you holding up?’ with a long face. And we’ve just peeked at each other and been like, we’re grateful and floating.”

Erivo also refuted reports they were paid differently for the film, saying they negotiated contracts together. “We both went through it — ‘What number are we doing? How do you feel about that?’ We were really fucking honest,” she recalled. “And that’s really rare. People don’t do that.”

Both actors will be on the campaign trail for Wicked’s awards season, and preparing to promote their follow up, Wicked: For Good, which is released in cinemas November 21. Erivo recently talked about co-writing an original song for the sequel, alongside the Broadway production’s original composer Stephen Schwartz.

In a four-star review of Wicked, NME wrote: “Wicked flags a little in the middle, but not enough to dampen a dramatic climax in which Elphaba and Glinda travel to Oz to meet the fabled Wonderful Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). He and Yeoh sell their brief musical numbers on twinkly charisma, but Erivo and Grande are both vocally extraordinary.”

“Crucially, they also have crackling chemistry punctuated by Erivo’s bursts of intensity and Grande’s slick comic timing. By the end, you won’t quite be levitating off your seat but you’ll definitely be enchanted enough to stream the soundtrack on the way home. Funny, colourful and full of empathy for outsiders, this film really is the Shiz.”