Original ‘Wicked’ star Kristin Chenoweth says Ariana Grande was ‘destined’ for role in new movie

Casting Ariana Grande in the upcoming “Wicked” movie was a popular choice for Kristin Chenoweth.

Grande will portray the bubbly Glinda the Good Witch, a role originated on Broadway by Chenoweth.

“I’m not sure if I’ve ever been this proud,” Chenoweth wrote Saturday in an Instagram post. “From the very first day I met you ... you were destined for this role.”

The post included a photo of Grande as a child posing alongside Chenoweth. It also featured a screen shot of a 2011 tweet by Grande.

“Loved seeing Wicked again... amazing production!” Grande tweeted at the time. “Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life! #DreamRole.”

The “Wicked” musical opened on Broadway in 1995 and centers on witches in the Land of Oz. Idina Menzel portrayed Elphaba in the original cast.

Cynthia Erivo, who will play Elphaba in the movie, and Grande were announced last week as the stars of the upcoming film, which will be directed by Jon M. Chu.

“Thank goodness,” Grande wrote Friday on Instagram, quoting a song from the show to celebrate her casting.

Grande, a Grammy-winning pop star known for hits such as “7 rings” and “thank u, next,” earned widespread recognition as an actress on the Nickelodeon series “Victorious” and “Sam & Cat.”

Erivo, meanwhile, received a Best Actress nomination at the 2020 Oscars for “Harriet,” and was also nominated for Best Original Song for “Stand Up,” which is featured in the film.

Chu previously directed “Crazy Rich Asians” and this year’s film adaptation of Broadway’s “In the Heights.”