The Wicked actor opens up about filming scenes that are ‘close’ to his personal ‘pain’

Ariana Grande Has revealed his technique for dealing with the most poignant scenes Wicked: for good,

The 32-year-old actress, who plays Glinda alongside Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey in the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation of the popular musical, explained how she invented “Trigger” to stop her “pain” from affecting her performances.

Grande discussed the emotional depth required for the role, noting that some of the film’s central themes felt “close” to her personal experiences.

Speaking to actor Adam Sandler on Variety’s Actors on Actors, Grande said: “I’m a blocker in life, but it’s not that easy when you’re performing. It’s not a party trick.

“I invented the triggers for Glinda so that I wouldn’t have to touch myself, because some of the themes in this film are very connected to my life.

“I had to design her pain so I didn’t have to reference my pain.”

The sequel picks up where the first film left off, covering the Green Witch Elphaba (Erivo)’s years of separation from her friend Glinda (Grande), and being declared demonic by those in Oz who refer to her as The Wicked Witch of the West, as she is known in L. Frank Baum’s novel about the fantasy world.

One scene in the film that moved Sandler was when Munchkin man Bok, played by Ethan Slater, is transformed into the Tin Man by Elphaba in an attempt to save his life after a failed spell cast by Nessarose Throop (Marisa Bode) nearly kills him.

Grande said: “It’s a very painful moment and it’s beautifully presented.

“It’s so important to see these human moments for these villains, these terrible people. That’s the beautiful thing about Wicked, it shows how the perpetrators of evil were once victims themselves.”

Grande is also known for her popstar career, with hit songs like Problem, Thank U, Next and 7 Rings, and two Grammys to her name.

She became famous after starring in the hit Nickelodeon series Victorious and its spin-off Sam & Cat. Her music career began in 2013 after the release of her debut album, Yours Truly.

She will embark on her The Eternal Sunshine Tour in June, with performances in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago and Montreal, completing five shows at London’s O2 Arena in August.