Ariana Grande has revealed that she nearly stopped making music, until playing Glinda in the upcoming Wicked movie changed everything. During an interview on the Shut Up Evan! podcast, the singer and actress opened up about how her time filming in London helped her rediscover her creative spark.
“Playing Glinda has done so much for me,” Ariana said. “It completely changed my relationship with creating. I didn’t think I was going to make an album ever again when I left for London.”
She explained that stepping into the character of Glinda reminded her of confidence, joy, and purpose. “Glinda’s certainty and belief in herself totally ignited something in me that I missed,” she shared. The experience of portraying such a hopeful and optimistic character reminded her of why she fell in love with music in the first place.
That renewed sense of inspiration led Ariana back to the studio to create her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, which she began working on during filming breaks for Wicked. “I felt a genuine spark of reconnection and inspiration,” she said, describing how the project came together naturally once her creative energy returned.
For Ariana, playing Glinda was more than just an acting challenge, it was a personal reset. The role helped her heal, reflect, and rediscover the joy of creating music. As she prepares for the release of Wicked and continues to embrace her musical comeback, fans can expect to see a more grounded, inspired version of Ariana Grande stepping into both worlds once again.
