Who Auditioned for Glinda in the Wicked Movie? Amanda Seyfried & More!

Casting Glinda in the the Wicked movie was no easy task. As one of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, finding the perfect actress to play Glinda alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba involved a very long process.

With countless auditions and call-backs, director Jon M. Chu and the team at Universal Pictures had their work cut out.

In the end, Ariana Grande secured the role, but many talented actresses auditioned and came close to landing the part. So, who auditioned for Glinda in the Wicked movie, and what made Ariana the final choice?

Key Takeaways

• Who Auditioned for Glinda in Wicked Movie: Several well-known actresses, including Dove Cameron, Amanda Seyfried, and Reneé Rapp, auditioned for the role.
• Casting Process: Director Jon M. Chu described the auditions as a very long process, with many talented performers trying out.
• Ariana Grande’s Selection: Despite initial hesitation, Ariana Grande was ultimately chosen and is set to play Glinda in the Wicked movie.

The Long Road to Casting Glinda

Casting Glinda in Wicked wasn’t just about finding someone who could hit the high notes. The actress needed to have impeccable comedic timing, a magnetic stage presence, and the emotional depth to handle the role’s heavier moments.

Director Jon M. Chu knew that whoever stepped into Glinda’s shoes would need to hold her own opposite Cynthia Erivo, who had already been cast to play Elphaba.

In interviews, Jon M. Chu revealed that almost everybody auditioned for Wicked, with countless talented actresses stepping forward. The director described it as a very long process, explaining that while many were good, nobody immediately stood out as the definitive choice.

I wouldn’t say anybody took it,” Chu explained. “I wouldn’t say anyone came in and said, ‘I am the Glinda of this moment.’

It wasn’t until Ariana Grande walked into the room that things started to click. But even for her, the process was far from straightforward.

Ariana Grande – The Final Choice

While Ariana Grande seems like an obvious choice now, director Jon M. Chu initially had doubts.

No way are we hiring Ariana Grande and putting her in Wicked! That’s like, too many brands…

But after multiple auditions, call-backs, and screen tests, Grande recalled every nuance of Glinda in Wicked. Her vocal range, deep connection to the character, and playful charm ultimately won over both Jon M. Chu and the producers at Universal Pictures.

Why Ariana Was the Perfect Choice

• Her passion for the Broadway musical shone through in every audition.
• Her chemistry with Cynthia Erivo was undeniable.
• She brought both vocal power and heartfelt emotion to the role.

Chu summed it up simply:

She was the most interesting person in that room that day.

Dove Cameron

For years, Dove Cameron was widely considered a fan-favourite choice to play Glinda in the Wicked movie. The actress and singer, known for her roles in Disney productions and her Broadway performances, openly expressed her love for the role.

In interviews, Dove admitted the audition process was a very long process, requiring commitment and resilience. Despite her efforts, she did not secure the part.

After the casting was announced, Dove Cameron spoke highly of Ariana Grande, calling her a genuinely dear friend and expressing her excitement for the film.

She’s gonna kill it. I think the whole cast is phenomenal head to toe.

Amanda Seyfried

Known for her roles in Les Mis and Mamma Mia, Amanda Seyfried was another actress who auditioned for Glinda.

Balancing her commitment to the TV series The Dropout and the audition process was no easy feat. Amanda described how she carved out time on weekends to prepare and perform in auditions.

Amanda said:

I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life,

Though she didn’t secure the part, Amanda expressed pride in her growth as a singer and performer through the experience.

I think it also taught me how far I’ve come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove.

Reneé Rapp

Broadway sensation Reneé Rapp, who played Regina George in the Mean Girls musical, also auditioned for Glinda.

When asked about the experience on Watch What Happens Live, Reneé confirmed her audition and spoke highly of Ariana Grande:

Ariana’s gonna be… can I cuss? Ok, she’s gonna be f—ing amazing. I’m so excited.

Though Reneé didn’t land the role, her star continues to rise, and her audition added to the long list of talented performers who aimed for the good witch title.

Taylor Louderman

Taylor Louderman, best known for originating Regina George on Broadway, also auditioned for Glinda.

After the casting announcement, Taylor shared her disappointment on social media, writing:

This business… you can’t care too much about any role you’re auditioning for (or you could get hurt & won’t come back) but you have to care enough to give it your all.

Her heartfelt words highlighted just how meaningful the role of Glinda is to performers.

Other Actresses Who Auditioned for Glinda

Aside from the confirmed names, there were many other actresses who auditioned for Glinda in Wicked.

• Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once) revealed she was asked to audition but turned it down.
• Other unnamed actors and singers also screen-tested with Cynthia Erivo but were not publicly named.

The audition process was exhaustive, but in the end, Universal Pictures Erivo and Jon M. Chu felt confident in their choice.

Overall

Casting Glinda in the Wicked movie was a task that demanded patience, care, and a deep respect for the character’s legacy.

From Dove Cameron and Amanda Seyfried to Reneé Rapp and Taylor Louderman, many talented performers gave it their all. In the end, it was Ariana Grande who stood out, earning the chance to bring the good witch to life on screen.

Part one was a smash hit, and fans are eagerly looking forward to Wicked Part Two, which has now been called Wicked: For Good. With a talented whole cast and an ambitious director at the helm, the Wicked movies promises to deliver something truly special.

FAQs

Who got the role of Glinda in the Wicked movie?

Ariana Grande was chosen to play Glinda after a lengthy audition process.

Which actresses auditioned for Glinda?

Confirmed names include Dove Cameron, Amanda Seyfried, Reneé Rapp, and Taylor Louderman.

Did Amanda Seyfried audition for Wicked?

Yes, Amanda Seyfried auditioned while filming The Dropout.

Was Dove Cameron considered for Glinda?

Yes, Dove Cameron auditioned and described it as a very long process.

Why was casting Glinda such a long process?

The role requires exceptional vocal talent, comedic timing, and emotional depth, making it one of the hardest roles to cast.