SimplyAbuDhabi XLVII

Our 3 Questions for Ariana Grande Simply Abu Dhabi: Congratulations on the huge success of Wicked , your extraordinary performance, and, of course, your nomina- tion for Best Supporting Actress! Having seen the stage play as a young girl, how did you approach the role of Glinda as an actress, rather than a fan? Ariana Grande: I’ve loved these songs since I was 10 years old! So, these lines that I’ve known and loved for 20 years as a fan took on totally new meanings as a performer, when I get to really think about Glinda and discover her inse- curities. I started working with my acting coach Nancy Banks, even before the audition. And you worked with your vocal coach before the audition too, right? Why was that? I started working with my vocal coach, Eric Vetro, about three months before my first audition, just because the vocal chords, like any other muscle in the body, are habitual. You have to train them to do new things. I naturally have a high range, and but it’s very different than singing coloratura soprano - a classical, operatic style. I wanted to train my voice as much as I could, so that by the time my first audition came around, it sounded authentic and warm and full. I wanted to really earn that. Your comic acting chops were on full display, and many of Glinda’s most iconic moments were improvised by you. Has comedy always come easily to you? I feel like comedy has always been such a big part of my life, in a quiet way. I started with acting and with comedy and some of my literal earliest memories were doing stand-up and silly voices for my grand-parents and dad. I think comedy – it’s the best medicine. Laughter is the best thing we have – and friendship. I’m just so grateful that it found its way back into my life in this massive way. 142 | Simply Abu Dhabi