The singer Ariana Grande 31, refused a modernized version of “Popular” and insisted on singing the original song in the adaptation of “Wicked” for cinemas. The film premiered in Brazil on November 21st.
As the musical’s composer Stephen Schwartz told the Los Angeles Times, the proposal was to take advantage of the presence of “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next” to give a more hip-hop vibe for the famous solo of Glinda, a character played by the American in the film.
“In the spirit of being open to new things for the film, my music team and I thought, let’s update the beat. Let’s maybe, I don’t know, hip-hopize it a little,” Schwartz reported. “Ariana said, ‘Absolutely not, don’t do that. I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda.’”
The only change made was the increase of an octave in the “Popular” film, which, according to Schwartz, served to boost the song, taking advantage of Ariana Grande’s great vocal range.
“I had this idea for a new vocal ending. Ariana was a little hesitant, but I told her that if I had thought of this for the original show, it would have gone like this,” he added. “As soon as she was sure that this new part of the song was coming out [de dentro] of the character, she entered.”
“Wicked” is a prelude to the classic “The Wizard of Oz” and follows the story of Elphaba a young woman who, because she has green skin, is misunderstood and still does not know her true power, and of Glinda a popular and ambitious woman who has not yet discovered her true identity.
The film stars Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet” and “The Outsider”) and Ariana Grande (“Brilhante Victória” and “Sam & Cat”). Names like Jonathan Bailey (“Bridgerton“), Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park”) and the Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere at the Same Time”).
Watch the trailer for “Wicked”
“Wicked”: find out the most listened to songs from the musical’s soundtrack
This content was originally published in Ariana Grande refused hip-hop version of the classic “Wicked” on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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