Wicked finally had its big LA premiere, and it’s safe to say the style spotlight was fully on Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
On the red carpet, the two gorgeous beings looked every bit their magical characters—with a twist.
Cynthia wowed in a sleek, shaved head, adding a fierce and unique take on Elphaba’s bold style.
And Ariana went full Glinda glam, tying her hair up in a sweet, polished updo with a delicate bow that gave just a hint of that iconic “good witch” vibe.
Of course, the premiere looks were dazzling, but it’s the hair they’ll be sporting in Wicked that really has fans buzzing.
Grande’s Glinda rocks long, straight blonde locks, while Erivo’s Elphaba goes for an edgy, slicked-back look—choices that have some fans enchanted and others scratching their heads.
From questions about Glinda’s missing curls to Elphaba’s ultra-polished ‘do, fans are spilling all kinds of opinions on these hair transformations.
Let’s talk about the hair drama that’s got Oz fans both enchanted and a little puzzled!
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Glinda’s Look: The Straight-Haired Pop Princess Vibe
Ariana Grande’s Glinda made her debut with a style that’s equal parts magical and, well…very Ariana: long, straight blonde locks with soft layers, totally sleek and styled.
It’s a serious departure from Glinda’s classic Broadway look—those bouncy, doll-like curls that practically scream “good witch.”
Fans online were quick to weigh in, with some saying that the straight hair feels more “pop star” than “Glinda.”
One fan on Reddit summed it up: “I wish there was more variety in her style. Curls would make Ariana feel less like a global pop icon and more like, you know, Glinda.”
Others pointed out that without those curls, she loses a bit of the fairy-tale charm we’re used to.
But according to Vogue, the creative team might have kept Ariana’s signature straight hair on purpose—kind of blending her superstar style with Glinda’s sweetness to make the character feel modern and unique.
Let’s be real, if Wicked was set in 2024, Glinda might very well be rocking Ariana-style hair in Oz!
Why So Much Pink?
Now, let’s talk color. Wicked fans know Glinda’s Broadway look includes a wardrobe that evolves from soft pinks to richer shades, visually showing her growth throughout the story.
But in the film, we’re seeing Glinda in…pink. All. The. Time. Cue the fan debates!
Some fans feel like keeping her in pink simplifies her character, skipping that whole “growing and changing” vibe.
“Having her in pink the whole time is kind of reductive,” one fan wrote. “Her Broadway costumes told a story. Here, it feels like they’re keeping her in a box.”
On the other side, some costume fans think it might be a color-coding thing—Glinda is all pink, and Elphaba is green, which makes them visual opposites.
In a way, it’s like a super simple, color-coded reminder of who’s who in the land of Oz.
Elphaba’s Look: Sleek and Powerful
Now, onto Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, who kept things fierce in the movie with a slicked-back, almost wet-look style.
It’s edgy, it’s modern, and it’s definitely a departure from the messy, wild hair we often see on Elphaba in the theater version.
In some fans’ eyes, though, this polished style feels a little…well, too polished.
One fan on social media put it like this: “Her Broadway hair looked bold and untamed, which kind of matched her rebel vibe. This look is cool, but I miss the wildness.”
But then again, this might be Elphaba’s “power” look. After all, if Wicked is embracing a modern aesthetic, Elphaba’s sleek, dramatic style could be just the right level of Oz-worthy sophistication.
Ariana’s Hair Journey: A Blend of Glinda and Grande
For anyone following Ariana’s style, this role has clearly influenced her own hair game.
In a recent feature from WWD, her stylist Josh Liu shared that they’ve been mixing up her routine on set, and that her Wicked experience has brought out new sides of her glam style.
He spilled that Ariana’s go-to these days includes T3’s Volumizing Hot Rollers for extra bounce and shine.
Funny enough, the rollers weren’t actually used for her Glinda look—but it’s clear they’ve got her thinking in curls.
Bringing a Little Oz Magic to Your Own Look
Inspired by the Glinda glam or Elphaba’s edge?
You can totally channel their Oz magic without needing a team of stylists. For Glinda vibes, try going sleek with layers, adding a little volume at the roots with a good mousse or root-lifter.
Or, if Elphaba’s sleek, no-nonsense look is more your thing, grab a gel, slick your hair back, and maybe even add a hint of emerald-toned shine spray for that hint of “witchy” mystery.
So, whether you’re #TeamGlinda or #TeamElphaba, one thing’s for sure—the Wicked premiere is giving us plenty to talk about.
At the end of the day, the beauty of Wicked is that it keeps us guessing and dreaming, and the hair choices are all part of that magic.
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