Ariana Grande has recently shared the emotional reason behind her decision to revert to her birth name in the upcoming film Wicked. In the highly anticipated 2024 movie, which has already garnered numerous Oscar nominations, the chart-topping artist chose to include her full name, “Ariana Grande-Butera,” in the end credits, combining her parents’ surnames. This choice reflects a deep personal connection for the star.
In an interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s podcast Awards Chatter, Grande explained, “Because that is my full name.” She elaborated on the significance of her childhood and her desire to honor her roots. “It’s my birth name, and that was my name when I first saw Wicked when I was a young girl,” she said, expressing how the project felt like a reunion with her younger self. She added, “It felt like a homecoming to her, so this felt like a beautiful celebration of that homecoming and a way of including my full me.” Ariana Grande, who typically uses only her mother’s surname for her work, has been somewhat disconnected from her father, Ed Butera, since 2013, making this tribute even more poignant.
This heartfelt revelation showcases Grande’s dedication to her heritage and her journey as an artist, suggesting that her appearance in Wicked represents much more than just a film role; it’s a significant step in embracing her identity.
