From W. H.Y.Y. in Philadelphia, this is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Tanya Mosley. Today, Ariana Grande joins me to talk about the cultural phenomenon of Wicked. She's nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the musical film, where she stars as Galinda, set years before The Wizard of Oz.

Grande and I talk about some of the underlying messages in the film about belonging and good versus evil.

And she says growing up performing, basically being a theater nerd, actually prepared her for this role.

Like we're on our own planet.

Right.

We are aliens.

We are the best kind of nerd, by the way.

And some of us are so lucky to have it.

Also, writer and dominatrix, Brittany Newell joins us to talk about her new novel Softcore,

which explores the underworld of San Francisco's dive bar, strip clubs, and BDSM Dungeons.

And Maureen Corrigan reviews two quintessential New York City books.

That's coming up on Fresh Air weekend.

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This is Fresh Air Weekend. 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

...