Ariana Grande-Butera Refused to Alter Wicked’s “Popular” for Movie Adaptation
Composer Stephen Schwartz revealed that Ariana Grande-Butera refused to alter the iconic song “Popular” from the Broadway musical Wicked for the film adaptation. According to Schwartz, the music team had considered giving the song a hip-hop remake, but Grande-Butera shut down the idea, wanting the music to feel as close to the original show as possible.
Instead, the team ended up altering some octaves at the end of the song to emphasize Grande-Butera’s vocal range. Schwartz praised Grande-Butera’s decision, saying that it allowed her to stay true to her character and the original musical.
The decision to keep the songs faithful to the original Broadway show was a deliberate choice made by the cast and crew of Wicked. By not altering the music, the film was able to offer a faithful adaptation of the story, using CGI effects and larger sets to enhance the established plot elements.
Keeping the songs the same also allowed the film to honor the original composition and showcase the talent of its lead actors, including Grande-Butera and Cynthia Erivo. The decision will likely be replicated in the upcoming Wicked Part Two, set to release in theaters next year.
