What you need to know
Ariana Grande was ready to let go of her Glinda-inspired look for good.
Before press for Wicked: For Good began earlier this month, the 32-year-old actress shocked fans with a new brunette hairstyle, marking the first time in three years that the pop star has adopted a darker hair color.
In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Oscar nominee revealed the meaning behind her shocking hair change.
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“I enjoy the storytelling on press tours,” she said, before going on to talk about how she wanted to approach her promotional attire this time compared to last time.
“For the first[Wicked]press tour, we wanted to celebrate Glinda in a more thoughtful way and be an extension of her and extend our time with her through the clothes and the blonde and everything,” Grande explained.
“Now I can come out as the actress who played her and play with the dark tones of the movie. It’s fun to play with hair, makeup and fashion,” she added.
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In fact, Grande is diving deep into the world of Oz. Ahead of the box office success of last fall’s Wicked, the pop star tried to impress by wearing a variety of Glinda-inspired dresses, styled by Mimi Cutrell and created by designers ranging from Ralph Lauren to Louis Vuitton to Versace. The duo continues to bring magic to awards season, earning Grande her first Oscar nomination.
This time, Grande teamed up with image architect and Project Runway judge Law Roach, who told PEOPLE in October that they spent “many hours” doing fittings while their friendship grew back in 2016.
“What people need to know about her is her gratitude and gratitude for getting to play this role. At the same time, she’s so excited and grateful to the designers who made these gowns and dresses for her,” he said.
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In recent weeks, Grande has been rocking a mix of moody looks and looks that incorporate the green and pink theme from the Wicked series.
At the London For Good premiere on Nov. 10, Grande turned heads in a dramatic dress designed by famed costume designer Gilbert Adrian, 73. The late designer is known for his work on The Wizard of Oz (1939) and for enhancing the world of Oz with Dorothy’s ruby slippers and Glinda’s bubble dress. She told British Vogue that the gown was sourced from Los Angeles-based Lily et C, which sells 20th and 21st century gowns.
On Nov. 12, Roach teased Grande’s upcoming all-pink ensemble, a peplum sequin number designed by Pier Paolo Piccioli for Balenciaga.
