When it came to her take on Glinda, Ariana Grande didn’t want to stray too far from the original. Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz recently revealed that while recording the movie musical’s track ‘Popular’,

The director Jon M. Chu narrates the musical scene, also featuring Cynthia Erivo, where Grande performs the song “Popular.”

In a new Los Angeles Times oral history, Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz explains:

Ariana Grande is not that girl. The Grammy winner, 31, isn’t looking to change the long-beloved song “Popular” from “Wicked” despite being pitched a different and new version of the tune. “In the spirit of being open to new things for the movie,

Chart star Ariana Grande refused to make one of her 'Wicked' songs more 'hip-hop' because she didn't want to be seen as a pop singer playing a character.

The highly anticipated Wicked movie, which hit theaters on November 22, has enchanted fans and dominated the box office. The Side to Side singer, who plays Glinda Upland in the much-awaited movie, has found herself at the center of social media discussions for what some thought was a makeup malfunction.