Wicked fans left torn over Ariana Grande’s vocals: ‘Real Broadway actresses don’t sing like this’

Fans of the highly anticipated Wicked film are torn over Ariana Grande’s singing in the blockbuster film ahead of its November 22 release.

In the upcoming adaptation of the hit musical, Ariana, 31, takes on the role of Galinda Upland – aka Glinda the Good Witch of the North – and both she and her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, sing live in the film.

However, after watching trailers and various clips online, many people have commented on the pop star’s singing abilities – and some fear it may not be up to Broadway standards.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, someone wrote: ‘Ppl says “Why is this so bad? She sounds great.” She sounds good, but she doesn’t sound like someone singing in a musical.’

‘You have to have very clear diction. The words have to be so clear and you have to convey an emotion with every line. Real Broadway actresses don’t sing like that,” she added.

A second person moaned: ‘Her voice is so annoying’, and a third claimed: ‘She sounds great but it could have been so much better. There is such a lack of emotion and it sounds like she is whispering. What a pity.’

A fourth person posted, “I tried to put off hating the wicked until I saw legitimate evidence that it would suck, but I really don’t like how woolly (??) and full-on Ari’s voice sounds in this.

“I’m no vocal expert but the way she pronounces words while she sings IS irritating imo (in my opinion),” they added, while someone else said: “It lacks that popUuularrrr thinness and softness, it’s rusty and not sounding quite right.’

The 31-year-old pop star plays Galinda Upland, also known as Glinda the Good Witch of the North

Another fan commented: ‘I’m very aware that they sing live in the movie, but the studio version needs to sound like she’s in character too, and insane vocals really don’t matter when she sounds like Ariana Grande instead from Galinda. ‘

However, others were quick to praise Ariana’s singing after seeing clips of the film online, with one saying: “You can tell she’s a theater kid because LISTEN TO THOSE VOCALSSSS.”

Another wrote, “Ariana has an incredible vocal range,” while a third said, “Ariana sounds amazing and I implore you all to actually listen to the original Broadway performance of this by Kristin Chenoweth… who is the same Kristin who was one over ten mentored Ariana for years and helped her prepare for the role. Your two cents are irrelevant!’

Someone else said: ‘People are so impressed with Popular for a reason. But just wait until they hear what Ariana Grande does with No One Mourn’s The Wicked. That is where her vocal training and growth will shine brightest.”

Another person admitted, “I’m hurt by the Twitter discourse surrounding Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s vocals, as if they aren’t objectively some of the best vocalists in the industry today.”

Another fan claimed: ‘It’s shocking to listen to Ariana Grande’s music post WICKED because she really changed her entire vocals to create a Glinda that is her mixed with what came before, especially her rendition of ‘No One Mourns the Wicked’, completely separate from her distinctive voice that we all know.’

The comments come just one day after fans were left in an uproar when the Into You hitmaker corrected the lyrics of a song in the beloved musical.

The Instagram account for the film posted a video of Ariana Popular singing, along with accompanying lyrics flashing on the screen.

One person suggested that Ariana’s vocals could have been “so much better” on X

One X user described Ariana and her costar, Cynthia Erivo, as ‘some of the best vocalists’

One fan claimed she “sounds amazing” and mentioned Ariana’s mentor Kristin Chenoweth

Another person claimed that ‘real Broadway actresses don’t sing like that’

Ariana stars opposite Cynthia Erivo in the film, directed by Jon M. Chu

However, Ariana intervened after noticing an inaccuracy.

While the lyric video shows Ariana singing the word “poise,” the singer stated that she was actually singing “tricks.”

‘They are “tricks”!!!!!! I love you @wickedmovie,” Ariana, who has been busy promoting the film lately, responded along with several emojis.

Her correction confused several Wicked fans, who initially believed the lyrics mentioned “balance.”

While many agreed with Ariana, several others were caught off guard when they learned the lyrics were actually “gimmicks.”

‘Excuse me! I’ve been saying the wrong word for twenty years!?!’ one stunned fan posted.

“Wait for his tricks???” one fan posted, while another said, “Omg I always thought it was balanced too!”

The official soundtrack for Wicked will be available on November 22, the same day the film is released in theaters.