Ariana Grande, in a Zoom call, reveals her full embrace of the Glinda persona from the upcoming ‘Wicked’ film adaptation. Dressed in a fuzzy pink sweater and her signature ponytail, she embodies the good witch aesthetic that has become part of her everyday life since landing the role. This transformation began earlier this year, with Grande donning blush-toned ensembles designed by renowned fashion houses like Thom Browne and Giambattista Valli.
Now, Grande takes it a step further with her beauty brand, R.E.M. Beauty, announcing a ‘Wicked’ collection exclusively inspired by her character. “I pulled inspiration for the collection from the stage show, the movie and the books,” Grande shares. “I am very much a nerd who likes to document things, like my fittings and hair and make-up tests.”
This collection isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s infused with deep cuts for fans. The packaging blends R.E.M. Beauty’s signature shapes with illustrations directly from L. Frank Baum’s original books and the musical’s stage design. It also introduces innovative products, like the pH-adaptive lip oil that shifts colors, marking a first for the brand.
“Of course, we had to come up with something magical for the witches,” Grande says with a smile. “I have a funny story about this product. One of my best friends, Doug [Middlebrook] had all of the testers because he loves to try everything and help me. He had the Glinda lip oil in his bathroom, and his friend saw it and thought ‘oh, a beautiful little sheer shimmery moment’ and put it on. They looked in the mirror right before they walked out the door and had hot pink lips!”
Grande’s personal journey to becoming Glinda was heavily influenced by iconic predecessors: Billie Burke’s 1939 portrayal in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and Kristin Chenoweth’s role in the original ‘Wicked’ production. “We wanted to pay homage to the gorgeous Glindas who have come before me while also creating our own version,” Grande says. And she wasn’t afraid to dive deep into the character’s essence.
From dyeing her hair blonde to embracing softer brows, Grande sought to embody Glinda’s gentle spirit. “My pop persona is such a characterized version on its own,” she explains. “Beauty really helped me deconstruct that person and find Glinda.” This transformation, aided by the Glinda glam team, including Frances Hannon and Gabor Kerekes, was a significant shift for the pop star.
The ‘Wicked’ collection embodies this transformation. With its pastel hues and magical elements, it’s a testament to Grande’s dedication to her role and a celebration of the transformative power of beauty.
The R.E.M. Beauty X Wicked collection will be available on the brand’s website at midnight EST on October 1st and in Ulta Beauty stores and online in early October. Get ready to embrace your own inner Glinda.
