LIVING MY GIRLHOOD DREAMIS SIMPLY WICKED

AS a little girl, Ariana Grande dreamed of playing Glinda in Wicked, so it's no wonder the singer wept tears of joy when she landed the role in the movie adaption of the hit musical.

- HEATHER GREENAWAY

The pop icon, who first saw Wicked on Broadway when she was 10, admits she spent a decade begging producers to give her the part in the stage show and was blown away when she was asked to audition for the film.

Ariana, 31, whose portrayal of the Good Witch of the South has been tipped for Oscar success, reveals she felt like she had been transported somewhere over the rainbow when she was told the role was hers.

The former Nickelodeon star, who has sold more than 90million records worldwide, said: "Being told I was to play Glinda in one of the most anticipated movies of all time was the best day of my life.

"I was just thankful to get an audition.

I knew the movie was happening and it was my dream just to audition.

"I have never wanted anything more.

So to actually get the role was beyond anything I could have wished for." Ariana, whose songs have had more than 98billion streams, added: "When I was 10, my mom took me to see Wicked and then she spoiled me by having me meet the cast backstage.

"It was actually a prize at the Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids auction. I kept raising my hand and my mom was like, 'Ariana, that's enough, that's enough', but I kept bidding and she spoiled me.