Amanda Seyfried is at peace with the way things went when she didn’t land a role in the Wicked films, and she says she truly believes everything went as planned.
Speaking on the Thursday, December 18 episode of Chelsea Handler’s Dear Chelsea, podcast, the 40-year-old actress made it clear there were no lingering disappointments.
“I’m done with it. It all happened [exactly how it is meant to]. I really believe that,” Seyfried said. “It was for the best, of course, for everyone involved because I had to do [The Testament of Ann Lee] Also.”
Seyfried had auditioned for the role of Glinda in director Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. The role ultimately went to Ariana Grande, whose performance earned her Golden Globe and Oscar nominations.
Even though Seyfried didn’t get the role, the experience still left a lasting impact on him, especially when it came to understanding his own voice.
She explained that preparing for Wicked pushed her to re-evaluate what kind of singer she is.
“I’ve completely let go of the need to access something that I may never be able to access in terms of vibrato control and endurance and breath work,” she told Handler, adding that she now understands that she is unlikely to pursue a demanding musical career on Broadway.
Although Seyfried admits she often avoids listening to her own singing, she revisited it Wicked audition tape, and surprised herself.
“I sang better than I thought I would,” she said. “I think it came with the enthusiasm, the momentum from my training and I was very proud of myself. That will never go away.”
Ultimately, the process helped her embrace her individuality.
“I realized, ‘Maybe I’m not that kind of singer and I don’t need to sound like anyone else,'” she explained.
Reflecting on his past performances in Les Miserablesshe added that her voice was “exactly as it must have been at that time.”
His next project, Ann Lee’s willis also a musical, and she feels it suits her voice perfectly.
“[When] Ann Lee came along, the opportunity was incredible,” she said. “It was just perfect for where my voice was, it’s a human voice. [and] not a trained voice.
Looking back, Seyfried focuses not on what she missed, but on what she gained in the process.
