Entertainment Movies Musical Movies Ariana Grande Says She's 'Forever Changed' by Her Epic Hair Flips in Wicked: 'Mostly My Spinal Column' (Exclusive) “I was, I still am, stiff,” reports Ariana Grande after tossing her long blonde hair repeatedly as Glinda the Good Witch By Jack Smart Jack Smart Jack Smart is the Movies Staff Writer at PEOPLE. With 10 years of experience as an entertainment journalist, he previously worked at The A.V. Club and Backstage. People Editorial Guidelines and Andrea Mandell Andrea Mandell Andrea Mandell is the Senior Editor of Entertainment Projects at PEOPLE Magazine. She joined the brand in 2022 and helps lead special projects, film coverage, festivals, awards and more. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 13, 2024 01:04PM EST Comments Ariana Grande might need a good chiropractor after filming Wicked. Speaking to PEOPLE alongside costar Jonathan Bailey, the singer-actress, 31, confirms that the many haughty hair flips she performed as Oz’s Glinda the Good Witch left her “forever changed.” “I was, I still am, stiff,” she reports after Bailey, 36, asks if she got “physio involved” to toss her blonde wigs behind her just so. “I'm forever changed in a lot of ways emotionally,” Grande says of playing Glinda, before riffing: “But mostly my spinal column. It's not good.” Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Have Embodied Their Wicked Characters This Whole Press Tour — See the Swankified Looks Wicked: Part One (in theaters Nov. 22) stars Grande alongside Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the movie is an adaptation of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s hit Broadway musical, itself inspired by the 1995 Gregory McGuire novel reimagining The Wizard of Oz’s witches. Ariana Grande in 'Wicked'. Universal Pictures Many of Glinda’s hair flips are directed — flirtatiously — at Bailey’s dashing Winkie Prince Fiyero upon his arrival at Shiz University, where Glinda and Elphaba are studying. “She flossed my teeth every time she did it,” quips the Bridgerton star. “You're welcome,” responds Grande. Adds Bailey: “That's why I've got absolute perfect pearlies.” (Left-right:) Jonathan Bailey, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on Nov. 5. Brendon Thorne/Getty Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Speaking of Glinda’s hair, the “Yes, And?” singer recalls the difficulty Bailey had in inserting a flower into her voluminous wig in another scene. “There was a lot of real estate underneath,” she explains. “A lot of matter.” “A lot of dark matter,” agrees Bailey. “And I had to put the flower [in], which actually is incredibly romantic and easy. It took about four hours of trying to find the right place to put it.” “Yes,” says Grande. “And it really didn't — we never found it. They cut away before it makes it in. ” 'Wicked'. Universal Pictures Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Each Contracted COVID Days Before Their Biggest Wicked Musical Numbers Unsurprisingly, the two costars and friends call themselves “the giggliest pair” on Chu’s set. The filmmaker “was trying to sort of herd goats,” recalls Bailey. “But that feels right for Glinda and Fiyero, doesn't it?” Wicked: Part One is in theaters Nov. 22, with Part Two slated for Nov. 26, 2025. Adapted by Holzman and Dana Fox, the movie also stars Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, Bowen Yang as Pfannee, Keala Settle as Miss Coddle, Ethan Slater as Boq, Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond and Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible.