TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
“Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?”
This quote from Glinda, in the opening moments of Wicked , sets the tone for a story that is about so much more than just a flashy musical spectacle, as I first assumed it would be. It’s a question that resonates deeply, echoing in a cancel-culture world that is quick to label others and jump to conclusions. As someone who has always loathed musicals (yes, I know that is practically blasphemous), I didn’t expect Wicked to captivate me the way it did. But here I am, three viewings deep, utterly obsessed—and with a lot to say about its message. For the uninitiated, Wicked is the previously untold story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good, set long before Dorothy dropped into Oz. Elphaba (the “wicked” witch) is misunderstood and ostracized for her green skin and her strong moral compass, while Glinda is her fabulous, ambitious, and, at times, a bit frustratingly superficial counterpart. The two form an unlikely friendship that is tested by societal pressures, political corruption, and their own personal growth. By the end of the first film, Elphaba has embraced her label of “wicked,” not because she is inherently bad, but because the world has forced her into that role. It’s such a complex, deeply layered story told with beautiful costumes and moving songs, while simultaneously being so emotional that it leaves you both inspired and heartbroken all at once. I went into Wicked with low expectations. Truthfully, my dislike for musicals had me ready to be annoyed throughout the film. However, I am a sucker for Ariana Grande (Glinda), and I saw how much passion was put into this film through its promotional material, so I gave it a shot. From the opening scene, I was hooked. By the end of the movie, I wasn’t just a fan—I was a believer. And here is why... In today’s world, I feel like we are so quick to brand people as “wicked” or “good,” often based on limited information or knee-jerk reactions. We buy into the idea that our perception is everything, but what if our perception is wrong? I’ve always
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hated hearing people being labeled as “bad.” It felt so reductive—as if someone’s entire worth could be dwindled down to a single word. Life isn’t black and white, and people aren’t one-dimensional. Good and bad coexist in all of us, with good pulling on one shoulder and evil pulling on the other, like a back-and-forth tug of war. Wicked illustrates that beautifully. Take Glinda, for instance. A family friend who joined me for my second viewing (yes, second) asked, “Am I supposed to love her or hate her?” The genius of Ariana Grande’s performance lies in making you feel both. Glinda is kind and well-meaning,
but also vain and afraid to leave the comfort of her (metaphorical but also literal) pink bubble. She’s a complex individual, and that is the point. No one is purely good or evil— we’re all multitudes of contradictions. That is what makes us human. And then there is Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo. All she wants is to do what she feels is right, but she’s punished for it at every turn. Her green skin becomes a metaphor for being “othered,” for standing out in a world that values conformity over authenticity. Watching her embrace her “wicked” label is both empowering and tragic. On one hand, it is empowering seeing
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