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Ariana Grande and Wicked cast step out in Sydney

Grande and her Wicked co-stars are still in Sydney, two days after the film had its world premiere to a rapturous reception.

Ariana Grande understands why Wicked fans had concerns about her casting

The stars of upcoming movie musical Wicked are still in Sydney, two days after the film had its world premiere to a rapturous reception at the State Theatre on Sunday night.

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey stepped out at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair today for a photocall in front of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.

Ariana Grande in Sydney today. Picture: MATRIXPICTURES
Ariana Grande in Sydney today. Picture: MATRIXPICTURES
The pop star plays Good Witch Glinda in the new movie musical. Picture: Matrix.
The pop star plays Good Witch Glinda in the new movie musical. Picture: Matrix.

The long-awaited movie adaptation of the hit 2003 Broadway musical is still two weeks away from hitting cinemas, with Australia the first stop in a global publicity blitz, but early reactions have been positive: The 2,000-strong audience at the State Theatre on Sunday gave the movie a lengthy standing ovation.

L-R: Jonathan Bailey, Cynthia Erivo and Grande. Picture: Matrix.
L-R: Jonathan Bailey, Cynthia Erivo and Grande. Picture: Matrix.
Grande has stuck to Glinda-esque pink for the publicity tour. Picture: MATRIX
Grande has stuck to Glinda-esque pink for the publicity tour. Picture: MATRIX
The two co-stars have developed a close friendship. Picture: Matrix.
The two co-stars have developed a close friendship. Picture: Matrix.

Grande plays Glinda the good witch and Erivo Elepheba the Wicked Witch in the film, which acts as a prequel of sorts to The Wizard of Oz, explaining the origins of the pair’s relationship.

But despite its runtime of two hours and forty minutes, the film actually only depicts half of the musical: It’s billed as “Part 1”, with a sequel to follow in exactly a year’s time.

Hundreds of fans lined the streets outside the premiere on Sunday, and Grande was undoubtedly the main drawcard: Fans clutched records and CDs for the star, who hadn’t previously visited our shores since 2017, to sign.

Sydney’s the first stop on a global publicity blitz for the stars. Picture: MATRIX
Sydney’s the first stop on a global publicity blitz for the stars. Picture: MATRIX

And the visit has also marked something of a personal milestone for Grande, 31: More than a year after they began dating, she and co-star Ethan Slater have gone “Instagram official”.

The pair, who met filming Wicked, shared their first photo together on their respective social media accounts after both attending the premiere.

Grande shared a sweet snap of Slater holding the train of her pastel pink gown as she walked down a flight of stairs.

The couple’s relationship had a controversial start, given both were married when they started working together on Wicked.

Originally published as Ariana Grande and Wicked cast step out in Sydney

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Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/ariana-grande-and-wicked-cast-step-out-in-sydney/news-story/24fa38eca906675b356d663c396dfb32