Dive deep into Ariana Grande’s candid confession: her role as Glinda in ‘Wicked’ wasn’t just a film project, it was a profound personal journey that saved her music career, inspiring ‘Eternal Sunshine’ and a highly anticipated mini-tour.
For a period, fans of global superstar Ariana Grande braced for the unimaginable: the potential end of her illustrious music career. The pop icon recently confirmed their deepest fears, revealing that she secretly planned to step away from making albums indefinitely. However, a powerful, unexpected catalyst emerged in her life: her role as Glinda in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved musical, ‘Wicked.’ This transformative experience not only reignited her creative spark but also led directly to her acclaimed 2024 album, ‘Eternal Sunshine,’ and a subsequent mini-tour that delighted her devoted fanbase.
The Secret Burden: Ariana’s Plan to Quit Music
In a candid discussion on the “Shut Up Evan” podcast, Grande disclosed her initial mindset upon leaving for London to film ‘Wicked.’ “I didn’t think I was going to make an album ever again when I left for London. That was my secret,” she confessed, a revelation that sent ripples through her dedicated fanbase. This period marked a significant hiatus from releasing new music, during which fans expressed growing concern and “threw red flags all over the place,” as reported by TMZ. The pop star had immersed herself fully in her acting role, leaving her musical future uncertain.
Glinda’s Influence: Rekindling a Lost Connection
The role of Glinda, the “Good Witch” known for her unwavering confidence, proved to be more than just a character for Grande. It became a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. She explained that while she could shed the costume at the end of the day, “you take the feelings home and performing the act of Glinda, who is so sure of herself.” This embodying of a confident character helped her reconnect with her “gut” — a connection she felt she had lost due to personal trauma. “It happens with trauma. That’s okay,” Grande acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of working to reconnect with that inner strength.
Through Glinda’s certainty and belief in herself, Grande found a strength within herself that she deeply missed. She elaborated that the character’s journey of self-reflection and peeling away misalignment forced her to do the same. This therapeutic experience, intertwined with her work with a therapist, became the unexpected turning point. As Elle detailed, Grande learned significantly from Glinda’s evolution across the two films.
The Spark of ‘Eternal Sunshine’
It was amidst the filming of ‘Wicked’ that Ariana Grande felt an undeniable pull back to music. “I felt just a genuine spark of reconnection and inspiration and something. I mean, maybe I missed it. Maybe it’s as simple as I missed it,” she recalled on the podcast. This profound moment wasn’t just about missing her craft; it was an “inspired moment” where she “couldn’t not” write an album. Despite the demanding schedule of movie production, she committed to the creative process, telling the team she would finish the album around reshoots for ‘Wicked.’ This project blossomed into ‘Eternal Sunshine.’
For Grande, the act of creating music and touring had previously felt “so self-focused,” sometimes weighing on her soul, especially with the “caricaturized version” of her as an artist. She candidly referred to her pop star persona as another “character,” much like Glinda. However, the newfound inspiration from ‘Wicked’ allowed her to reimagine her relationship with her music career, bringing a fresh perspective and genuine desire to create.
The ‘Baby Step’ Tour and Brighter Days Ahead
The decision to tour for ‘Eternal Sunshine’ also stemmed from this reignited passion. In August 2025, she announced her ‘Eternal Sunshine’ tour, much to the delight of fans. She had previously released an “Eternal Sunshine” deluxe album alongside her “Brighter Days Ahead” short film earlier in the year. Grande expressed a strong internal impulse, stating, “something inside is saying I have to do it.” She felt she would be “really sad if I don’t sing this album live” and described the tour as a “baby step way” to “re-imagine my relationship to touring.”
While this return to the stage is a celebratory moment for fans, Grande hinted that another extensive tour “probably won’t happen for a long time again after this one,” indicating a thoughtful and measured approach to her career going forward. This perspective highlights her commitment to prioritizing her well-being and creative impulses over the relentless demands of the music industry. Her journey is a testament to the power of creative expression and personal growth, proving that sometimes, stepping into another’s shoes can help you find your way back to your own authentic path.
