Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda from Wicked, shared her thoughts on the character’s sexuality following Ariana Grande’s recent comments. In a video interview with Gay Times published on Nov. 21, Grande, who portrays Glinda in the new film adaptation of Wicked, suggested that her character might have been “in the closet.”
Her remark came after Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, described their bond, saying, “I think Elphie loves Glinda. I think she loves love. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating the deep connection between them.”
Erivo and Grande forge a powerful off-screen friendship through their roles
Grande added that the characters provide “a safe space for one another,” a quality she believes is essential in all relationships, whether romantic or platonic. She further mused, “Glinda might be a little in the closet. You never know!”
In response, Chenoweth, who originated the role of Glinda on Broadway in 2003, shared her thoughts in an Instagram comment. She acknowledged her own earlier speculation about the character’s potential gay identity, writing, “I thought so too way back when….”
Grande continued the conversation during the same Gay Times interview, explaining that the bond between Glinda and Elphaba transcends sexuality. “It’s just true love,” she said, emphasizing the deep sense of safety and connection that both characters share, which, she believes, resonates with fans.
As Grande and Erivo continue to promote the new Wicked film, their on-screen friendship has developed into a strong off-screen bond. Erivo spoke emotionally about their connection, holding Grande’s hand and saying, “I think we found a little piece of ourselves in each other. When we first started, we were missing a little chunk, and we found that in one another.”
