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The Full-Circle Truth: Why Ariana Grande Is Credited As 'Ariana Grande-Butera' In The Wicked Movie

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The question of what name would appear on the big screen for Ariana Grande’s first major film role has finally been answered, and the revelation is far more personal than a simple stage name change. As of late 2024, the pop superstar confirmed that she will be credited in the highly anticipated *Wicked* movie not as her globally recognized moniker, Ariana Grande, but with her full, hyphenated birth name: Ariana Grande-Butera. This unexpected shift for the actress playing Glinda Upland is a fresh, full-circle moment that speaks volumes about her journey and reconnection with her roots.

The decision to use her full name, which includes her father's surname, Butera, has been described by Grande herself as a "homecoming" and a way to honor her complete identity as she steps into this new, monumental phase of her acting career. The two-part film adaptation, *Wicked: Part One* (slated for a November 2024 release) and *Wicked: For Good* (the title for Part Two), marks a significant, deliberate return to the name she carried before becoming one of the world's biggest pop icons. This article dives deep into the meaning behind the name, her full biography, and the context of her role in the massive Wicked production.

Ariana Grande-Butera: A Quick Biography and Profile

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her four-octave vocal range and her ability to blend pop, R&B, and trap music. Her career trajectory moved from Broadway to Nickelodeon to global pop stardom before landing the coveted role of Glinda in the *Wicked* film adaptation.

  • Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
  • Date of Birth: June 26, 1993
  • Birthplace: Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
  • Parents: Joan Grande (Mother, CEO of Hose-McCann Communications) and Edward Butera (Father, graphic designer)
  • Professional Stage Name: Ariana Grande
  • Debut Role: Charlotte in the 2008 Broadway musical *13*
  • Breakout TV Role: Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon series *Victorious* (2010–2013)
  • Key Music Achievements: Two Grammy Awards, a Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, and multiple Guinness World Records.
  • Major Film Role: Glinda Upland in *Wicked: Part One* (2024) and *Wicked: For Good* (2025).

The Profound Meaning Behind the 'Grande-Butera' Credit

The choice to be credited as Ariana Grande-Butera in a project as high-profile as *Wicked* is not a casual one; it is a profound, public statement about identity and personal history. The 'Grande-Butera' name is a hyphenation of her mother’s surname, Joan Grande, and her father’s surname, Edward Butera, honoring both sides of her family.

A 'Full-Circle' Homecoming

Ariana Grande has openly discussed the emotional significance of the name. She explained that using her full name for the film felt "really full circle" because it was the name she had when she first started her career in musical theater. She specifically mentioned that 'Ariana Grande-Butera' was her name when she went to see the original *Wicked* musical on Broadway as a child, long before she was the global superstar 'Ariana Grande.'

For a project that is so deeply rooted in the world of Broadway and musical theater—the very place her career began with *13* in 2008—using her full birth name represents a return to her authentic self and her earliest artistic aspirations. It’s a powerful symbolic choice that separates her acting career from the pop persona she has cultivated for over a decade.

Honoring Her Family and Roots

The hyphenated name is a direct and public tribute to her parents. While she has primarily used her mother’s surname, Grande, professionally, incorporating Butera, her father’s name, signals a reconciliation and a desire to embrace her complete family history. This move is particularly poignant given that she has had a complex, sometimes strained relationship with her father, Ed Butera, over the years.

By choosing 'Grande-Butera,' she is not just using a longer name; she is weaving her personal narrative into the fabric of the film's legacy. This choice underscores the theme of identity, which is central to the entire *Wicked* story, as it explores how Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) come to terms with who they are meant to be in the world of Oz.

The Wicked Movie: A Context of Star Power and Anticipation

The decision to use her full name adds another layer of intrigue to one of the most anticipated film events of the decade. The *Wicked* adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, is a massive, two-part cinematic event based on the novel by Gregory Maguire and the iconic Broadway musical. The film explores the backstory of the witches of Oz: Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.

The All-Star Ensemble Cast

Ariana Grande-Butera is surrounded by a phenomenal cast that elevates the topical authority of the film. The ensemble cast includes several major stars who will be credited alongside her:

  • Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp (The future Wicked Witch of the West)
  • Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar (The love interest)
  • Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible (The formidable headmistress)
  • Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz
  • Ethan Slater as Boq (A Munchkin boy)
  • Marissa Bode as Nessarose (Elphaba’s sister)

The pairing of Grande-Butera and the powerhouse vocalist Cynthia Erivo is the core of the film's star power, promising a dramatic and vocally stunning cinematic experience.

Release Dates and Production Details

The production's scale and the split into two films—a decision made to do justice to the source material—have only amplified the buzz. *Wicked: Part One* is set to premiere on November 22, 2024, with the second installment, *Wicked: For Good* (or *Wicked: Part Two*), following in 2025.

The directorial vision of Jon M. Chu (known for *Crazy Rich Asians* and *In the Heights*) has promised a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant adaptation. The use of the full name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in the credits solidifies the idea that this project is more than just a movie; it is a deeply personal and career-defining moment for the star, a conscious choice to embrace her complete identity as she takes on the role of Glinda Upland.

Ultimately, when audiences watch the end credits roll for *Wicked: Part One*, the appearance of 'Ariana Grande-Butera' will serve as a permanent, public reminder of the star's personal journey, her reconciliation with her past, and her deep-seated passion for the world of musical theater that started it all. It is a powerful statement of "I came home to myself," making the credit an integral part of the film's narrative.

The Full-Circle Truth: Why Ariana Grande Is Credited as 'Ariana Grande-Butera' in the Wicked Movie
ariana grande name in wicked credits
ariana grande name in wicked credits

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