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Ariana Grande has stirred up a ‘Wicked’ lyrics debate

4 min read

Ariana Granda is Glinda in "Wicked." Universal Pictures


Ariana Grande is once again making headlines, but this time, it’s not for her performance on stage or screen—it’s for clearing up a longstanding confusion about a lyric from the beloved Broadway musical Wicked. As Grande prepares for the release of the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked, the debate over one particular line in the musical has come to the forefront, with fans of all ages chiming in.

In Wicked, Grande portrays Glinda, the good witch from L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. The movie, which is set to hit theaters on November 22, features Grande singing the show’s famous song “Popular,” in which Glinda teaches Elphaba, the misunderstood witch played by Cynthia Erivo, how to become socially accepted. The song has become iconic for its catchy melody and snappy lyrics, but one particular line in the song has been a source of debate for over two decades.

In the video shared by the official Wicked movie social media account, the lyrics to “Popular” were shown with the line: “I’ll teach you the proper poise when you talk to boys.” However, Grande quickly took to the post’s comments to correct what she believed was a misquote. “It’s ploys !!!!!!” she wrote emphatically, referencing the actual lyrics of the song.

This correction set off a flurry of activity across social media, with many fans expressing surprise that they had been singing the wrong version of the song for years. The line in question—whether it’s “poise” or “ploys”—has sparked a long-standing debate among Wicked enthusiasts.

“I had to go look this up because this means I’ve been singing the wrong lyrics for over 20 years,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Some places have it listed as ‘poise,’ and some have ‘ploys,’ but apparently the original CD booklet said ‘ploys?????’”

The confusion seems to stem from different interpretations of the lyrics. While the official musical score and later recordings clearly use “ploys,” many fans have mistakenly adopted “poise,” either due to mishearing the line or relying on less authoritative sources like lyric websites. Grande’s correction certainly added clarity, but it also reignited the debate over which version is truly “correct.”

This wasn’t the first time the lyric has been brought into question, and it won’t be the last. Even Glinda’s stage counterparts have weighed in on the confusion. Jennafer Newberry Peery, who has portrayed Glinda in various productions, backed up Grande’s statement with a simple but definitive declaration: “Just another Glinda here to say… proper ploys.”

Similarly, Ginna Claire Mason, another actress who has played the role of Glinda on stage, also supported Grande’s interpretation. “The text says poise, but it’s proper ploys,” Mason commented on social media, further confirming that “ploys” is indeed the correct word in the context of the song.

Despite the debate, it’s clear that Wicked fans have a deep affection for the musical’s memorable lyrics and songs, which have remained a central part of the show’s enduring success since it first premiered on Broadway in 2003. The story, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel, tells the untold story of the witches from The Wizard of Oz, giving Glinda and Elphaba complex backstories and allowing for powerful musical moments like “Popular.”

In addition to Grande and Erivo, the film adaptation features a star-studded cast, including Ariana DeBose, Michelle Yeoh, and Bowen Yang, making it one of the most anticipated movie releases of the year. With Wicked finally hitting the big screen, this debate over a single lyric is just one small part of the excitement surrounding the project.

For fans who may still be confused about the “poise vs. ploys” dilemma, they can rest assured that Grande’s correction is final. After all, as she aptly pointed out, Wicked fans have been getting it wrong for years. But whether it’s “poise” or “ploys,” one thing is certain—the lyrics to “Popular” will continue to be as memorable and iconic as ever.

As the release of Wicked approaches, the film’s buzz continues to grow, and this tiny lyric controversy serves as a reminder of the devoted and passionate fanbase that the musical has cultivated over the years. Fans are now eagerly awaiting to see Grande and Erivo bring their magical roles to life on the big screen, hoping to add more memorable moments to the show’s already legendary history.

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