Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Granda as Glinda in ‘Wicked’ Although Grande turned down a modern take on the song this time, she and Mika previously collaborated on a ‘Popular’ dance-pop cover, which she featured on her 2013 debut album Yours ...

Meanwhile, fans have been in a frenzy over rumors that Grande was paid $15 million to star as Glinda the Good Witch in the two-part movie musical, while Erivo, 37, only got $1 million to play Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

In a new Los Angeles Times oral history, Wicked composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz explains:

Wicked” composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that he pitched Ariana Grande on a different version of “Popular” for the film adaptation that she instantly turned down.

Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz has revealed that Ariana Grande refused to make a suggested change to a classic song. The movie version of the hit musical has just hit cinema screens, showcasing iconic tunes such as 'Defying Gravity' and 'Popular'.

Chart star Ariana Grande refused to make one of her 'Wicked' songs more 'hip-hop' because she didn't want to be seen as a pop singer playing a character.

The highly anticipated Wicked movie, which hit theaters on November 22, has enchanted fans and dominated the box office. The Side to Side singer, who plays Glinda Upland in the much-awaited movie, has found herself at the center of social media discussions for what some thought was a makeup malfunction.