That much Evil is about sisterhood, leading some fans to wonder how literal that word might be for its main characters, Elphaba and Glinda.
In, of course The Wizard of OzWicked Witch of the West – Elphaba, a.s Evil explains – he has a sister, the Wicked Witch of the East.
So it wouldn’t be out of the question that the good witch of the north, Glinda (in the Book, the south), would also be part of that family. But, Evil gives the audience a definitive answer to this question.
Are Elphaba and Glinda Sisters evil?
Bad part 1 – and Evil Broadway musical – explain that its main characters, Elphaba and Glinda, are not biological sisters, but their friendship is so deep that it could be limited to found-family sisterhood.
Elphaba has a biological sister, Nessarose, who is eventually named the Wicked Witch of the East – but how sweet, innocent Nessa takes the path of evil is only revealed Bad part 2.
Elphaba and Nessarose are the daughters of the Governor of Munchkinland – or they both think they are. Elphaba actually has a different father, but she doesn’t know it. They grew up together, as a childhood flashback shows.
Meanwhile, Glinda (then Galinda) introduces herself at Shiz University as the Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands – a nod to her potential title of Good Witch of the North, of course.
Elphaba and Galinda meet at Shiz University where they become roommates. They begin to hate each other, but after a prank gone wrong when Elphaba tried to pay Galinda back for helping Nessa meet (although her intentions for doing so may not have been as good as they seemed), they become best friends.
Their friendship is strong, and they both seem to acknowledge that strength in the Emerald City where they sing “We’re just two friends / two good friends / two best friends” ahead of one of the biggest turning points in both of their lives.
This relationship is almost identical to its Broadway counterpart, as the two become friends and their friendship grows and develops in exactly the same way on screen and on stage.
Could Elphaba and Glinda be more than best friends?
For years, fans have wondered if Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship goes beyond platonic and is actually something more romantic — a theory Ariana Grande-Butera (Glinda Evil films), Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba in the films) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda in the original Broadway cast Evil) discussed recently.
Grande said in an interview with Gay Times promoting the film “Glinda might be a little closeted” acknowledges that Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship is strong “Whether it’s romantic or platonic.”
He added it “if there was time” in the story to make the two of them even closer, “you never know” what could happen. But eventually he calls it “only true love” that “transcends sexuality:”
“Trust and truth and so on, just the kind of safe space with each other that all relationships should be. So, you know, whether it’s romantic or platonic or maybe… Glinda might be a little messed up in the closet, but if there was time, you don’t know, let a little more time for that. But no, it’s just real love, and it’s beyond sexuality and deep security within each other.”
Earlier in the interview, Erivo said that he is thinking about Elphaba “goes wherever the wind goes” when it comes to love.
He added that there is nothing “wrong” with the fans “celebrating the deep connection they both have” calling it “true love” also – although not necessarily romantic, he understands why it can easily be interpreted like this:
“He goes wherever the wind blows. I think he loves Glinda, I think he loves love. I think it’s… I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that they both have. they have a real… It’s a relationship, it’s true love, that’s probably why people ship it, you know, because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond and love.”
Chenoweth then commented to E! News Instagram post shares Grande’s quote about maybe being Glinda “little in the closet” saying “I thought so long ago, too, when . . .” (apparently referring to the time she landed the role of Glinda on Broadway).
So even if Elphaba and Glinda aren’t shown as a couple, fans who believe there could be romantic elements are sure to have the blessings of some of the people best known for bringing this story to life.
Bad part 1 is now showing in theaters.
