Who Auditioned for Elphaba in the Wicked Movie? Lady Gaga & More!

Casting Elphaba in the Wicked movies was one of the biggest challenges director Jon M. Chu and the team at Universal Pictures faced. The role of the green-skinned witch is one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, requiring exceptional vocal power, emotional range, and a strong stage presence.

While Cynthia Erivo ultimately landed the role, becoming part of a whole cast that fans are eagerly anticipating, the process to find the perfect Elphaba was a very long process. Many talented actresses auditioned, some of whom have since spoken openly about their experiences.

So, who auditioned for Elphaba in the Wicked movie, and how did Cynthia Erivo become the final choice? Let’s find out.

Key Takeaways

• Who Auditioned for Elphaba in Wicked Movie: Big names like Ariana Grande, Cristin Milioti, and even Lady Gaga were considered for the role.
• The Casting Process: Director Jon M. Chu revealed it was a long process, with many auditions and callbacks.
• Why Cynthia Erivo Was Chosen: Her powerful voice, emotional depth, and chemistry with Ariana Grande made her the ideal choice.

The Long Road to Casting Elphaba

Casting Elphaba for the movie version of Wicked required more than just singing ability. Known as one of the hardest roles in musical theatre, Elphaba demands strength, charisma, and a deep emotional connection to the character.

Director Jon M. Chu initially considered casting unknown actresses to play Elphaba and play Glinda. However, once the auditions began, it became clear that several big names had their eyes on the part.

“We got calls from all these great actresses who wanted to audition, and we saw everybody. Anyone could have done this role. Except there were two people who were meant to do this role,” Chu explained.

One of those two was, of course, Cynthia Erivo. But before her casting was announced, many familiar faces gave it their all in the audition room.

Ariana Grande

Before being cast to play Glinda, Ariana Grande actually auditioned for Elphaba as well. The singer and actress had long spoken about her love for the role, even performing “The Wizard and I” during an NBC special in 2019.

During an interview, Ariana revealed:

I had a feeling they were gonna make me sing for both roles, and they did. I sang ‘No One Mourns the Wicked’, ‘Popular’, ‘The Wizard and I’ and ‘Defying Gravity’ in my audition.

While Grande recalled feeling pulled towards Glinda, she admitted she gave everything she had in her Elphaba auditions.

In the end, she was chosen to play Glinda, and Cynthia Erivo took on Elphaba.

Cristin Milioti

Known for her roles in How I Met Your Mother and The Penguin, Cristin Milioti was one of the actresses who auditioned to play Elphaba.

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Cristin shared her audition experience.

“Wicked is one of my favourite musicals. I was asked to audition for Elphaba, and of course, I said yes. I was so excited,”

Cristin admitted that nerves got the better of her during the big moment.

“I opened my mouth, and the sound that escaped me is something I will hear on my deathbed. It was terrible. But honestly, Cynthia is perfect for it. She’s gonna kill it.”

Lady Gaga

While Lady Gaga never publicly confirmed her audition, reports from Page Six suggested she was in talks to play Elphaba during an earlier version of the film adaptation when Stephen Daldry was set to direct.

Sources claimed that Lady Gaga had meetings about the role and was heavily considered before the project changed direction with Jon M. Chu at the helm.

In the end, those discussions never led to an audition, and Cynthia Erivo became the final choice.

Other Actresses Rumoured to Have Auditioned

While official confirmation is scarce, other names have been linked to Elphaba in Wicked:

• Nicole Scherzinger: Known for her powerful vocals, Nicole was reportedly considered for the role after her performance in Cats on the West End.
• Lea Michele: Known for her roles in Glee and Spring Awakening, Lea reportedly auditioned but was ultimately not selected.

The secrecy surrounding the audition process means many actors and singers remain unnamed, but it’s clear the casting team considered a wide range of talent.

Why Cynthia Erivo Was the Perfect Choice

When Cynthia Erivo was announced to play Elphaba, there was absolutely no surprise among fans of the Broadway musical. Known for her extraordinary voice and powerful performances, Cynthia was an obvious choice.

• Her Emotional Depth: Cynthia brings raw vulnerability to every performance.
• Her Chemistry with Ariana Grande: Their dynamic as two ladies who will share the spotlight is undeniable.
• Her Stage Experience: As a living icon of the stage, Cynthia has the background to handle the demands of Elphaba’s songs and story.

Overall

Casting Elphaba in the Wicked movie was a task that demanded patience, talent, and dedication from everyone involved. From Ariana Grande and Cristin Milioti to rumours about Lady Gaga, many talented actresses auditioned for the role.

In the end, Cynthia Erivo emerged as the perfect fit. With her powerful vocals and emotional depth, she’s set to bring the good witch’s counterpart to life in a way fans will never forget.

With part one already captivating audiences, we are eagerly looking forward to Wicked: For Good, the official title for part two of this magical saga.

FAQs

Who got the role of Elphaba in the Wicked movie?

Cynthia Erivo was cast as Elphaba after an extensive audition process.

Did Ariana Grande audition for Elphaba?

Yes, Ariana Grande auditioned for both Elphaba and Glinda before being cast as Glinda.

Did Lady Gaga audition for Elphaba in Wicked?

While Lady Gaga was reportedly considered for an earlier version of the film, she did not audition under Jon M. Chu’s direction.

Which actresses auditioned for Elphaba?

Confirmed names include Ariana Grande, Cristin Milioti, and rumoured names such as Nicole Scherzinger.

Why was casting Elphaba so challenging?

The role of Elphaba is one of the hardest roles in musical theatre, demanding exceptional singing talent, emotional range, and stage presence.