Ariana Grande recently shared the personal reason behind using her full name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the credits for her upcoming film Wicked, where she plays Glinda, the “good witch.”
Wicked is a movie version of the bestselling book and powerhouse musical theater production by the same name, which explores the history and motivations of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from Frank O’Baum’s book series and later movie The Wizard of Oz.
In a recent interview with Australian radio station Hit 104.7 Canberra, Grande explained that the decision honors her “little girl name…little Ari’s name,” recalling her younger self as “Ariana Grande-Butera.” She described the film as a “homecoming” experience, helping her reconnect with her true self through Glinda.
She said:
“I just feel like this experience was such a homecoming for me. I feel like I came home to myself in a lot of ways through what I learned from Glinda, from Elphaba.”
Adding a nostalgic touch, she said, “That was my name when I went to see Wicked at 10. It felt like a really lovely way of honoring that.”
Fans got emotional when they learned the reasoning behind her choice.
People loved the idea of artists using their given names instead of stage names as a way to honor their roots.
Some thought this might have been a slightly more professional decision on Grande’s part.
Some knew that “Butera” came from her father, from whom she has been estranged.
Fans were excited that she’s Glinda.
Wicked comes out in late November.
