Ariana Grande’s Unusual Demand for Her Reality Show to Preserve Her Opera Voice for Wicked Audition

Ariana Grande-Butera, renowned for both her vocal prowess and acting talent, recently shared how her audition for the upcoming film Wicked led her to make a unique request on the set of NBC’s The Voice. Following the film’s release, critics have lauded her performance, which has even earned her a Golden Globe nomination from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for her supporting role. In addition to her film work, Grande-Butera also serves as a vocal coach on The Voice, enhancing her multifaceted career.

In a recent interview with Variety, Grande-Butera discussed the challenges posed by her dual commitments as filming for The Voice coincided with her audition preparations for Wicked. When auditions were imminent, she kept her team in a state of “high alert,”dedicating herself to extensive training with both a vocal coach and an acting coach. To optimize her performance, she even requested a temporary adjustment to the set conditions of The Voice by having them “cut the air conditioning,”ensuring her operatic voice would remain uncompromised the next day.

I was hunting Marc Platt down for an audition. As soon as I found out that it might be happening, I told my team, “Be on high alert, please. And I know this has to be earned. So when they start seeing people, can I please go in? I’ll do anything.” And I worked really hard with a vocal coach and an acting coach to get ready, because Glinda’s vocal track is very different than what I usually sing.

It’s very operatic and very classical sort of coloratura, which is different from doing a falsetto and whistle tones. It’s a totally different placement in the voice. I wanted to sound authentic in singing opera, and I started two months before my first audition.

I mean, it was really insane. It was a three-and-a-half-month period of time.

I was filming “The Voice,” so I was going from my vocal coach to my acting coach to doing the live shows. I was so nervous about my voice being in good shape because my audition was the next day. And I was on set doing “The Voice,” and I asked them to cut the air conditioning. They keep it really cold to keep the live audience awake. I had to sing opera the next day. I had to sing “No One Mourns the Wicked,” and people started to notice. I was like, “It’s my fault.”

Impact on Wicked

Grande-Butera’s Commitment to the Role

Grande-Butera’s proactive approach while filming The Voice highlights her dedication to her role in Wicked. Her determination went beyond her passion for the project; she actively sought out opportunities, exemplified by her efforts to secure an audition with producer Marc Platt. Such extreme measures demonstrate her commitment, as she was willing to change the working enviroment of those around her to ensure her readiness for one of her dream roles.

Furthermore, Grande-Butera’s reflections on the distinct vocal requirements of Glinda underscore her dedication to authenticity in her performance. She described Glinda’s part as a “very classical sort of coloratura,”markedly different from the lighter, more commercial sound typically associated with her hits. This transition in vocal style illuminates the adaptability of Grande-Butera’s artistry, revealing why her portrayal of Glinda resonates so differently from her previous work.

Analysis of Grande-Butera’s Audition Experience

Audience Reactions to Grande-Butera’s Performance

Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the Wicked movie

Prior to the highly anticipated release of Wicked, some skeptics expressed doubts regarding Grande-Butera’s ability to deliver a fitting performance. Her statements provide critical context that may have alleviated such concerns. Many viewers were unaware of the level of vocal training she underwent in preparation for the role. This intensive preparation allowed her to produce a performance that aligns closely with the expectations of both Broadway and operatic standards, creating a sound distinctively different from her mainstream pop repertoire.

For further details on Grande-Butera’s insightful journey into this iconic role, check out the full story over at Variety.

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