March 23, 2025: Actress Amanda Seyfried recently shared a heartfelt recollection of her experience auditioning for the role of Glinda in the movie adaptation of the beloved musical Wicked. Seyfried, who is known for her role in Les Miserables, spoke candidly about her preparation and the opportunity to sing with Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the upcoming film.
During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Seyfried opened up about her time auditioning for the role of Glinda, which ultimately went to Ariana Grande. “I was able to really prepare, and I’m telling you, I’ve never felt that solid in my voice than I did at the auditions. And that’s kind of what I got out of it,” she said. Seyfried went on to express gratitude for the experience, noting that even though she didn’t get the part, she grew as a performer in the process.
Seyfried fondly recalled singing alongside Erivo, saying, “I also got to sing with Cynthia, and that was a moment in itself.” Despite not landing the role, she continues to sing Defying Gravity at home with her family, showing how much the musical means to her.
In 2022, Seyfried revealed that she auditioned for Wicked while simultaneously working on her Emmy-winning role in The Dropout. “On the weekends, I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version of Wicked — because I wanted it that much,” she shared. Seyfried went on to describe how difficult it was to balance such a challenging role with the intense demands of the Wicked audition process, but she also viewed it as a chance to prove her growth as a singer.
Cynthia Erivo, who has worked alongside Ariana Grande in the film, had previously stated that it was no surprise to her when Grande was cast as Glinda. She added that she was grateful for the casting, as she knew that Grande was perfect for the part.
Though Seyfried didn’t get the role of Glinda, she remains grateful for the opportunity to work on her singing and to be part of the Wicked experience, a role she had long dreamed of playing. With her growth as both an actress and a singer, Seyfried continues to prove her versatility in the entertainment industry.