The question of how Ariana Grande's extensive collection of body art would be handled in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked has been a major point of curiosity for fans and film enthusiasts since her casting as Glinda the Good Witch. As of December 2025, the definitive answer is a fascinating two-part story: her existing tattoos were meticulously covered for the role, while the experience of filming has inspired a brand-new, permanent set of commemorative ink.
The character of Glinda, as depicted in the original L. Frank Baum stories and the beloved Broadway musical, is a pristine figure of elegance and purity, a look that traditionally does not include visible tattoos. This meant that the production team for the two-part film, Wicked: Part One and Wicked: For Good, faced the significant task of making Grande's personal tattoos disappear for the camera.
Ariana Grande: Biography and Key Tattoo Entities
Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has become one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation. Her career spans from Broadway and television to global pop superstardom.
- Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
- Born: June 26, 1993, in Boca Raton, Florida, U.S.
- Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Producer
- Key Roles: Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon's Victorious and Sam & Cat, Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked (2024 & 2025).
- Music Achievements: Multiple Grammy Awards, numerous platinum certifications, and holding records for streaming and chart performance.
- Notable Existing Tattoos (Pre-Wicked):
- Eternity ring on her finger.
- A large butterfly on her left arm/shoulder.
- A crescent moon behind her ear.
- Various script and symbols on her hands and fingers, including the word 'baby' and a small heart.
- A collection of ink on her arms, neck, and shoulder area.
- Wicked Role: Glinda Upland (Glinda the Good Witch)
- Wicked Co-Star: Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba)
The Meticulous Process of Covering Glinda's Tattoos
The challenge for the Wicked makeup and special effects team was to ensure that none of Grande's personal body art was visible, maintaining the character's flawless aesthetic. Since Glinda's costumes—especially her iconic pink and blue gowns—often feature exposed skin on the neck, shoulders, and arms, a comprehensive cover-up was mandatory.
Which Tattoos Had to Be Concealed?
Ariana Grande has a substantial number of small to medium-sized tattoos, many of which are located in highly visible areas. The tattoos that required daily, extensive cover-up included:
- Hand and Finger Tattoos: Her hands, fingers, and palms are frequently inked, and these required the most detailed work, particularly in close-up shots.
- Neck and Behind-the-Ear Tattoos: Tattoos like the crescent moon and other small designs on her neck and behind the ear had to be completely obscured, especially when wearing Glinda's elaborate updos and crowns.
- Shoulder and Arm Tattoos: Her prominent butterfly tattoo on her left arm/shoulder, along with other script, needed industrial-strength coverage for scenes involving Glinda's flowing capes and sleeves.
The Art of Tattoo Concealment on Set
Achieving a seamless cover-up for a major motion picture requires more than just standard concealer. The process is time-consuming and involves multiple steps using specialized theatrical makeup products. This typically includes a color-corrector (often orange or red-toned) to neutralize the dark ink, a heavy-duty, waterproof foundation or theatrical paint, and a setting powder to ensure the makeup doesn't smudge or transfer onto the elaborate Glinda costumes. This daily routine was an essential part of Ariana Grande's transformation into Glinda Upland throughout the extensive filming schedule in the UK.
The Permanent Ink Inspired by The Land of Oz
While her existing tattoos were temporarily erased for the role, the experience of bringing the beloved musical to life inspired Grande to get new, permanent ink that celebrates her time in Oz. This is where the story of "Ariana Grande's Wicked tattoos" truly gets interesting, as she chose to commemorate the milestone with significant new body art.
The Glinda Illustration Tattoo
One of Grande's most notable new pieces is a tattoo of an illustration of Glinda herself. This is not just any drawing, but a depiction of Glinda from the original 1900 children's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by L. Frank Baum. This specific choice shows a deep respect for the source material and the long history of the character she portrays.
The tattoo is placed on her hand, a location she had reportedly been waiting a long time to fill. This placement is a bold choice, as hand tattoos are notoriously difficult to maintain and are always visible, serving as a constant reminder of her transformative experience on the film.
Matching "For Good" Tattoos with Cynthia Erivo
Perhaps the sweetest and most publicized new ink is the matching tattoo she shares with her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The two actresses solidified their bond and celebrated the completion of filming with matching tattoos that read "For Good."
The phrase "For Good" is a direct and powerful reference to the iconic, emotional duet sung by Glinda and Elphaba in the musical, which speaks to the profound and lasting impact their friendship has had on each other. This shared tattoo is a beautiful symbol of their friendship and the legacy of their work on the two-part film, Wicked: For Good, which is set for release in late 2025.
The placement of this matching tattoo is on the palm of their hands, a subtle yet meaningful spot that only they and their closest friends might see regularly. Some reports also suggested a matching tattoo where Grande got an "E" (for Elphaba) and Erivo got a "G" (for Glinda), further cementing their on-screen and off-screen connection.
The Legacy of Ink and Identity in Film
The story of Ariana Grande's tattoos in Wicked perfectly encapsulates the modern dilemma for actors with significant body art. On one hand, the demands of the fictional character, Glinda, required the temporary suppression of her personal identity (her tattoos). On the other hand, the profound, real-life experience of portraying the character and forming a deep friendship with her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, led to a new, permanent expression of that identity. The new "For Good" and Glinda illustration tattoos are not just random designs; they are powerful, permanent souvenirs from a career-defining chapter.
As fans eagerly await the release of Wicked: Part One in late 2024, they can appreciate the dedication required to transform a global pop star into the pristine Glinda, a process that involved meticulous daily cover-up. Simultaneously, the new Glinda-inspired tattoos serve as a lasting tribute to the magic created by Ariana Grande and the entire production team in the Land of Oz.
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