Ariana Grande Turned Down a Hip-Hop Version of 'Popular'

Here’s Why Ariana Grande Said ‘No’ to a Hip-Hop Version of ‘Popular’ in ‘Wicked’
Critics and fans alike have been raving about Ariana Grande ‘s performance as Glinda in the new film adaptation of Wicked. But according to the show’s original composer, one of her most pivotal scenes almost sounded very different.
‘Wicked' Team Considered Making ‘Popular' More Hip-Hop. Ariana Grande Refused: ‘Absolutely Not. I Want to Be Glinda, Not Ariana Playing Glinda'
Wicked” composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he pitched Ariana Grande on a different version of “Popular” for the film adaptation that she instantly turned down.
Ariana Grande rejected attempts to make "Popular" sound more hip-hop
Let’s, maybe, I don’t know, hip-hop it up a little bit. Ariana said, ‘Absolutely not, don’t do it. I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda,'” Schwartz tells The Times. In fact, Grande was so protective of Glinda she didn’t even want to add what became a show-stopping dance break finale to the number.
Ariana Grande Shut Down A Hip-Hop Version Of ‘Popular’ But Did OK Another ‘Wicked’ Song Change
In a new Los Angeles Times oral history, Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz explains:
Wicked’s Ariana Grande Rejected Offer To Revise ‘Popular’ With More Hip-Hop: ‘Absolutely Not’
Wicked’s Ariana Grande turned down an offer to add more hip-hop to “Popular.” Wicked, which stars Grande as Galinda Upland/Glinda the Good, is now playing in United States theaters. Based on the popular Broadway play of the same name,
Listen to Ariana Grande's version of 'Popular' from the 'Wicked' movie
Listen to Ariana Grande's version of "Popular" and Cynthia Erivo's version of "The Wizard and I" from the new "Wicked" movie.
Did Ariana Grande really make millions more than Cynthia Erivo for ‘Wicked’?
Rumors that Grande, who stars as Glinda in the film, had earned more money than Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, recently surfaced, leading to outrage among fans. Posts circulating on social media claimed Grande received $15 million while Erivo received $1 million.
A Look Back At Ariana Grande’s Long (Yellow Brick) Road To ‘Wicked’
Ariana Grande is getting rave reviews for her performance in ’Wicked.’ She’s put in the work, beginning when she was a child.
Ariana Grande watches 'Wicked' alongside her Nonna at hometown theater
Ariana Grande turned a "Wicked" screening into a family affair. The star of the production took to Instagram on Monday to share that she flew to her hometown theater in Boca Raton, Florida, to see her new film with her grandmother, Marjorie "Nonna" Grande.
Ariana Grande Rejected ‘Wicked’ Composer Stephen Schwartz’s Idea of Wanting to Make a Hip-Hop Version of “Popular”
"Absolutely not, don’t do it. I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda," the singer, who stars in the Universal movie adaptation of the musical, said.
People Are Just Now Realizing Ariana Grande Is Legit Hilarious Thanks To How Seriously Funny She Is In "Wicked"
Whether it's the wry depth she adds to the musical's opening number "No One Mourns The Wicked" or the full physical comedy ...
‘Wicked’—Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Holding Space’ Meme, Explained
A viral clip from the ‘Wicked’ press tour featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sparked many memes—here’s how it started, ...