Amanda Seyfried, known for her iconic roles in Mommy Mia!, Les Misérables, and Mean Girls, addressed the rumors surrounding his viral Evil video. When a video of the actor singing “Popular” from the iconic musical went viral, people online immediately speculated that it was the video of her audition for the role of Glinda in the highly anticipated film adaptation. The buzz surrounding her possible audition video grew quickly, Seyfrienf has always expressed her love for the musicaland it was one of many fan choices that circulated the internet before the official announcement that Ariana Grande-Butera would bring the cheerful character to life.
The actress has since revealed the context of the video and shared her thoughts on Grande's casting. Talking to People, Seyfried revealed that the the viral video was not part of the official Evil audition process. Instead, it was yet another casual moment taken out of context. This is what she said:
I think it was during COVID. I was doing a Lancôme photo shoot in Long Island City. Elizabeth Stewart [was] my stylist. I wasn't auditioning for Evil yet, but I knew it was like it was coming, so I was really joking and I was like, 'That dress is so Glinda.' And Elizabeth said, 'Do it.' And then she posted it at some point.
Although Seyfried noted that she adores her stylist, she said that “maybe it would have been better if it hadn’t been posted,” because “it was really fun, like, [behind-the-scenes] moment of my photo shoot for Lancôme.” However, the star confirmed that she did, in fact, later audition for the role of Glinda. Seyfried also said that he thought the film was over “fantastic”, adding that his children are big fans of the film. Read her response below:
I put a lot of effort into it, for sure. And it was a very long process. And everything happens the way it should.
It's an extravagance, which is what she [Grande] it does very well. AND [my kids] I've been playing the soundtrack non-stop. And everything is as it should be, for sure.
It was a fierce competition
Seyfried's previous comments about her love for Evil and Glinda are examples of how coveted this role was among artists. Dove Cameron, Reneé Rapp and Taylor Louderman are some of the artists who also went after the role. Although Seyfried lost the role of the Good Witch, she had only positive comments about Big Butera, who got the role. Big Butera Evil Casting as Glinda also brought some controversy online, with some people questioning whether the singer could embody the cheerful witch. Seyfried's recognition of her talent highlights her respect for the project and direction the film took under Jon M. Chu.
Grande-Butera brought her own talent to Glinda and proved her critics wrong, receiving praise for her performance in the Evil adaptation. Both critics and audiences praised her ability to balance Glinda's bubbly charm with the emotional depth required for such a subtle character, proving that she not only has vocal ability but also acting versatility. His performance received praise including her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Seyfried's appreciation for Grande reflects a greater recognition of EvilThe colossal impact, with both leads, Grande-Butera and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, elevating their characters with heartfelt performances.
Shows the impact of the Broadway musical
Seyfried's observations on Evil highlight the ongoing cultural significance of the musical and provide insight into the audition process for the role sought. Comments about the long audition process resonated with Grande-Butera, who previously revealed she prepared for the audition for six months and auditioned for the role five times. Seyfried's recognition for Grande's exceptional portrayal speaks to the immense expectations surrounding the iconic character. While his comments may reflect a bittersweet acknowledgment of the missed opportunity, they also demonstrate his respect for Grande-Butera's talent and dedication to everyone involved in the musical's film adaptation.
With its all-star cast, stunning visuals and expanded story, Evil continues to captivate audiences and critics. It's safe to say that the Good Witch's legacy is apparently in good hands with Great Butera's career-defining portrayal of Glinda.
Source: People