Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal reflect on ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’

Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal open up about Wicked and Gladiator II, their careers, and the art of storytelling.

Ariana Grande and Paul Mescal recently sat down for a candid conversation as part of Variety’s Actors on Actors series, reflecting on their respective films, Wicked and Gladiator II.

The two stars embraced their films’ playful rivalry, coined by fans as “Glicked,” and shared insights into their creative processes.

Grande, who portrays Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, described how she pursued the role as a dream come true. “I was hunting Marc Platt down for an audition,” she said, explaining how she trained extensively with vocal and acting coaches to master Glinda’s operatic vocal range. Discussing Wicked’s production, Grande highlighted the elaborate costume designs by Paul Tazewell, particularly her “bubble dress,” which symbolized Glinda’s ability to transform darkness into light.

Paul Mescal, meanwhile, reflected on his transition into the epic world of Gladiator II as Lucius, a Roman warrior. “Putting on Maximus’ breastplate was surreal,” Mescal said, sharing how costume fittings and stunt work pushed him to embody the character fully. He also recalled being mentored by director Ridley Scott, whose enthusiasm during their premiere screening made the experience unforgettable.

Both stars found common ground in their love for musical theater, with Grande revealing how The Wizard of Oz inspired her as a child, and Mescal sharing memories of performing Phantom of the Opera at 16. They also expressed admiration for each other’s work, with Grande praising Mescal’s singing in Les Misérables and Mescal lauding Grande’s electrifying performance in Wicked.

The pair ended by celebrating their intertwined press tours, jokingly declaring themselves “Glicked” and reflecting on how their films resonate with audiences.