Ariana Grande defends herself against Wicked Voice's criticism

Ariana Grande has addressed the criticism she received for her voice change for her role in Wicked.

The Grammy winner will soon be seen on the big screen in Jon M Chu's highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, in which she plays Glinda, the Good Witch, opposite Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

In early June of this year, a video of Grande speaking on Penn Badgley's Podcrushed podcast went viral online after fans noticed her voice alternating between higher and lower registers.

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Grande addressed the backlash in a TikTok comment at the time, writing, “I intentionally often change my vocal position (high/low) depending on how much I'm singing. I’ve always done that.”

Grande has now reflected on the criticism over her voice change for the role of Glinda, a vivacious soprano, telling Vanity Fair: “There's a part of the world that doesn't know what it takes to change your voice, whether… “It’s about singing for a role or adopting a different dialect or doing a character voice for something.”

The singer also pointed out the double standards that exist when a male actor changes his voice for a role, pointing out that this is often celebrated.

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“If it’s a male actor doing it, it’s celebrated,” she said. “There are definitely jokes made, but always when you're showered with praise, 'Oh, wow, he was so lost in the role.' And that's actually just part of the job.

“A story as old as the existence of a woman in this industry. You’re treated differently and under scrutiny in a way that some people aren’t.”

The big screen adaptation of “Wicked” will be split into two films, with part one releasing in November and part two currently scheduled to follow in November 2025.

Bridgerton's Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Jonathan Bailey also star.

Wicked: Part One hits theaters on November 22nd.

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