Ariana Grande says 'Wicked' was a gift — and she's proud to be in a 'beautiful coven'
As a kid, Grande loved singing karaoke with her family. "I looked up to Whitney and Mariah and Celine endlessly," she says. "I think that's a large part of the reason why I learned to sing."
![Ariana Grande says 'Wicked' was a gift — and she's proud to be in a 'beautiful coven'](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/6000x3373+0+0/resize/1400/quality/100/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbd%2F8a%2F1ac888264bdf9a26011e8945225a%2F2551-d133-00142r.jpg)
![Ariana Grande initially auditioned for both witch roles in <em>Wicked,</em> but "I knew I was Glinda," she says.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3001x4000+0+0/resize/3001x4000!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F08%2Ffe%2Fc10ab5cf4a719f0fa0f902afc885%2Fag-katiatemkin-85070.jpg)
As a kid, Grande loved singing karaoke with her family. "I looked up to Whitney and Mariah and Celine endlessly," she says. "I think that's a large part of the reason why I learned to sing."
(Image credit: Katia Tempkin)