Ariana Grande has cemented herself as a legitimate actress.

Like many, I saw Wicked—Part 1 over the holiday break. Prior to seeing the movie, I had seen the Broadway production of Wicked when I graduated high school. Unfortunately, I have never read the books, so I have no idea what happens in Parts 2 or 3.

What I do know is how amazed I was at the talent of both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Growing up, Ariana Grande was a staple on Nickelodeon.

She was known for her vibrant red hair as Cat in Victorious and her cluelessness in her reprise as Cat in the show Sam & Cat.

Sure, Grande showed off her chops a little in Victorious. But, for the most part, she was supposed to be the ditzy character with a hidden talent.

After her acting stint, Grande stuck to music. She was known for hits such as “7 Rings,” “God is a Woman,” and “Thank U, Next.”

I even attended her concert.

Unfortunately, Grande was also known for her connection to Mac Miller. She had dated Mac Miller before he passed from an overdose and was reported to call him hundreds of times so that she could hear his voicemail and his voice again and again.

She later was engaged to Pete Davidson, before calling it off.

After calling it off with Pete Davidson, it seemed Ariana had gone off the map.

But, now I know she was dedicating herself to preparing for an audition that would change how Hollywood viewed her.

Grande plays the starring role of Glinda the Good Witch, a role it seems she was born to play.

With her delicate figure, bleach-blonde hair, and porcelain skin, Grande makes the perfect opposite of co-star Erivo, who plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

Erivo has green skin, and dark micro braids, and towers over Grande.

While Elphaba pretends not to care what others at Shiz University think about her, it is apparent to Glinda (her roommate) that she obviously does. Glinda takes Elphaba under her wing and “Glindifies her,” making her more approachable among their cohorts.

Despite being popular herself, Glinda is constantly seeking validation from others. She needs reassurance from friends and Prince Fiyero daily and often goes above and beyond to get it. Whether it is from over-dramatic hair shakes to changing her name, Glinda needs all eyes on her.

This constant desire to be popular and perfect hinders Glinda from developing real talent in sorcery.

I think this is a reflection of Grande’s true life, which makes her so ideal.

Grande did everything to become a popular teen character in Victorious. She dyed her hair red every two weeks and wore it in an enormous ponytail, causing damage and breakage. She belittled herself on the show as this ditzy girl, just to gain a role. She never was able to show her true talent.

We also now know the true horror that was happening behind the scenes of both of those shows, under the direction of accused child predator and director Dan Schneider. She had every reason to fall into the many woes that grip many child actors and actresses. But, just like her character Glinda, she “rose above it.”

She rose above the chatter, the devastation, and the loss, and found her identity in a role that showcased her true talent, her voice.

I’ll be the first to admit I never imagined Ariana Grande as a star. I thought she was a singer and maybe a one-and-done child actress. But, I am so happy to see her as popular as ever this past weekend. I hope she proves to everyone who has ever dismissed her as just a face, or just a teen bop singer, that she is so much more. She is a legitimate actress, who deserves everything she has achieved.