This is Ira Glass of This American Life. Each week on our show, we choose a theme, tell different

stories on that theme. All right, I'm just going to stop right there. You're listening to an NPR

podcast. Chances are you know our show. So instead, I'm going to tell you, we've just been on

a run of really good shows lately. Some big, epic emotional stories and some weird funny stuff too. Download

us, This American Life. This is Fresh Air. I'm Tanya Mosley. The musical Wicked is a top

contender at this year's Academy Awards with 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting

Actress for my guest today, Ariana Grande.

Wicked has become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon,

introducing new layers of the story of Oz that really challenge audiences to look beyond surface appearances and question preconceived notions of good and evil.

Ariana Grande stars as the privileged and popular Galinda, who develops a friendship with Elphaba,

played by Cynthia Arrivo, born with green skin and ostracized by society.

As a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the film is set years before Dorothy arrives in Oz,

and it charts the transformations of Elphaba into the Wicked Witch of the West and Galinda into Glinda the Good.

Here's Grande, as Galinda, singing popular,

a song that gives insights into her character.

Elphi, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project.

Oh, you really don't have to do that.

I know. That's what makes me so nice.

Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I...

And let's face it, right, who isn't?

Less fortunate than I.

My tender heart tends to start to bleed

...