As a longtimeWickedfan,Ariana Grandeknew she had some big slippers to fill with her casting as Galinda Upland.

This is something I loved so much about auditioning forWicked, explained Grande on theSentimental Menpodcast.

It has to be earned.

Ariana Grande wears pink puffy sleeves on a ‘Wicked’ red carpet.

Ariana Grande attends the Australian premiere of ‘Wicked’ on Nov. 3, 2024 in Sydney.Don Arnold/WireImage

I probably wouldve said, Why the f?

Ive waited 20 years for this.

Chu wastapped to directtheUniversaladaptation back in 2021.

Paul Mescal in ‘Gladiator II’ and Cynthia Erivo in ‘Wicked’

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo inWicked.Universal Pictures/Everett Collection

The firstWickedinstallment premieres Nov. 22, 2024, with the second following on Nov. 21, 2025.