Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Granda as Glinda in ‘Wicked’ Although Grande turned down a modern take on the song this time, she and Mika previously collaborated on a ‘Popular’ dance-pop cover, which she featured on her 2013 debut album Yours ...

In a new Los Angeles Times oral history, Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz explains:

Meanwhile, fans have been in a frenzy over rumors that Grande was paid $15 million to star as Glinda the Good Witch in the two-part movie musical, while Erivo, 37, only got $1 million to play Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

When 'Wicked's composer and lyricist suggested a hip-hop version of "Popular" for the movie, Ariana Grande put a stop to it. Here's why she rejected the idea.

The director Jon M. Chu narrates the musical scene, also featuring Cynthia Erivo, where Grande performs the song “Popular.”

"Absolutely not, don't do it. I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda," the singer, who stars in the Universal movie adaptation of the musical, said.

Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz has revealed that Ariana Grande refused to make a suggested change to a classic song. The movie version of the hit musical has just hit cinema screens, showcasing iconic tunes such as 'Defying Gravity' and 'Popular'.

Chart star Ariana Grande refused to make one of her 'Wicked' songs more 'hip-hop' because she didn't want to be seen as a pop singer playing a character.

The highly anticipated Wicked movie, which hit theaters on November 22, has enchanted fans and dominated the box office. The Side to Side singer, who plays Glinda Upland in the much-awaited movie, has found herself at the center of social media discussions for what some thought was a makeup malfunction.