Ariana Grande says using “Grande-Butera” in Wicked credits is a nod to her younger self

Ariana Grande has revisited a piece of her past, choosing a heartfelt way to celebrate it.

Following her journey from Broadway-loving little girl to global pop superstar, Ariana didn’t just step into a role in Wicked.

She chose to be credited as Ariana Grande-Butera, her full birth name, as a nod to the younger self who first fell in love with the show.

Let’s break down why this choice was so meaningful and how it reflects Grande’s journey back to the joy and wonder of her childhood dreams.

A Name That Carries a Lifetime of Meaning

When fans watched Wicked and its sequel Wicked: For Good, they noticed something different in the credits. The pop superstar wasn’t listed as Ariana Grande. Instead, the name Ariana Grande-Butera appeared on screen. This wasn’t a mistake or a publicity stunt.

The name combines her mother Joan Grande’s surname with her father Edward Butera’s last name. It’s the name she was born with. Throughout her career in music and television, she simply went by Ariana Grande. But for these two films, she wanted something more meaningful.

Grande explained that this experience felt like a homecoming for her. The role of Glinda wasn’t just another acting job. She told THR, “Getting to play Glinda was the greatest gift of my life.” Using her full name felt like the right way to celebrate that journey back to herself.

The singer first saw Wicked on Broadway when she was just 10 years old. That was back in 2003, when the show first opened to massive acclaim. She attended as Ariana Grande-Butera, a young girl with big dreams. Two decades later, she returned to that same story as its leading lady.

Little Ari Comes Full Circle

Grande opened up about her decision during an appearance on The Streaming Service with Justin Hill in November 2024. The singer got emotional when discussing what the role meant to her personally. It wasn’t just about playing a character. It was about reconnecting with parts of herself she felt had been lost.

She told the interviewer that “I just feel like this experience was such a homecoming for me.” Playing Glinda taught her lessons about herself that went beyond acting. Her co-star Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Elphaba also influenced her growth. Together, the two actresses created something magical both on screen and off.

The decision to use her birth name felt natural to Grande. She wanted to capture that sense of coming home. When the interviewer called it a love note to her younger self, she agreed wholeheartedly. It was exactly that.

Grande admitted that parts of little Ari had gotten lost along the way. The entertainment industry can be demanding and draining. Success often comes with sacrifices. But this role helped her rediscover those lost pieces. It brought her back to the joy and wonder she felt as a child.

A Father’s Emotional Reaction

The name change held special significance for Grande’s relationship with her father. Edward Butera is a graphic designer based in Florida. He and Grande’s mother divorced when Ariana was eight years old. The split led to years of estrangement between father and daughter. By 2013, they had lost touch completely.

Grande called the estrangement the hardest thing she had ever dealt with. She kept the reasons private but admitted it took her a long time to accept. She struggled with the fact that so much of her came from her father. For years, she didn’t like that about herself.

But time heals wounds, and the two eventually reconciled. By 2019, Edward was spotted at her concerts and family events. Their relationship had mended. So when Grande decided to use his last name in the credits, she knew it would mean something special.

Grande recorded her father’s reaction secretly. Director Jon M. Chu had sent her the credits early. He knew people would start seeing the film soon and wanted her dad to find out properly. Grande pulled up the credits on her laptop and told her father she wanted to show him the typography.

Wicked Success and Oscar Glory

Wicked became a massive box office hit. The sequel Wicked: For Good opened to a record-breaking $147 million domestically. It earned $76 million overseas for a global start of $223 million.

The first Wicked film received 10 Academy Award nominations. Grande earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Cynthia Erivo was nominated for Best Actress. The film won for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. It was a triumph in every way.

For Grande, the Oscar nomination was surreal and deeply moving. She said, “It is just the absolute honor of my life.” Being recognized by the Academy was unfathomable. She felt grateful and fulfilled beyond words.

The sequel is expected to earn similar acclaim. Grande and Erivo are both campaigning in the same categories again. Early predictions suggest they could both receive nominations. Some critics believe Grande’s performance in the second film is even stronger.

More Than Just a Credit

Using the name Ariana Grande-Butera for Wicked wasn’t about changing her identity. She still uses her stage name for everything else. Her music, her social media, her other projects. All of those remain under Ariana Grande.

It was about honoring a specific moment in time. It was about the 10-year-old girl who saw Wicked and dreamed of being Glinda. It was about the relationship with her father that survived years of pain. It was about coming home to herself after feeling lost in the industry.

Grande’s brother Frankie also uses a shortened stage name. Born Frank James Michael Grande Marchione, he goes by Frankie Grande professionally. It’s common in Hollywood for performers to simplify their names. But sometimes, bringing back the full name carries more weight.

The Wicked credits will forever show Ariana Grande-Butera. Future generations will see that name and wonder about the story behind it. They’ll learn about a pop star who returned to her childhood dream. They’ll discover a father-daughter relationship that has healed.

TL;DR

• Ariana Grande used her full birth name, Ariana Grande-Butera, in both Wicked films’ credits.
• The name combines her mother Joan Grande’s and father Edward Butera’s surnames.
• She and her father were estranged from 2013 until around 2018, but have since reconciled.
• Director Jon M. Chu sent her the credits early so she could surprise her dad properly.
• Wicked: For Good opened to $147 million domestically and $223 million globally.
• Grande received her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for the first film.
• She continues to use her stage name Ariana Grande for all other professional projects.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.