Mamma Mia! actress Amanda Seyfried admits she "bent over backwards" to try and land the lead role in Wicked, which went to Ariana Grande. She told Backstage: "Last summer, while I was playing Elizabeth [Holmes], on the weekends I was auditioning in person to play Glinda in the movie version of Wicked - because I wanted it that much." The Crowded Room: Amanda Seyfried to Star Alongside Tom Holland in Apple TV+ Upcoming Anthology Series.

"I was like, You know what? Yeah, I have to play the last scene of The Dropout on Tuesday. I'll give my Sunday to you. I literally bent over backwards while playing the hardest role of my life." Seyfried said the experience was still worthwhile, as she was able to realise how she has developed as a singer, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She added: "I think it also taught me how far I've come as a singer, which I really wanted to prove. Because ever since Les Miz I was like, I need to be better. I need to do better. So whatever comes next in terms of musicals, I'm finally prepared."

She has made no secret of her desire to play Glinda on the big screen, and back in 2015 she spoke of her desire to be part of a potential film adaptation of the Wizard of Oz prequel.

With the film entering early stages of development at the time, she said: "I might be too old when they make it. Or if they make it sooner than later, maybe I'm not the right person."

"I just still - I want it. I want to present myself and be a good candidate." Meanwhile, director Jon M. Chu previously revealed he was moved to tears by Grande and Cynthia's auditions for Glinda and Elphaba respectively. Amanda Seyfried Stands Up for Refugees and Abortion Rights During Power of Women Speech.

Responding to a fan who called for the audition footage to be made public, Jon tweeted: "It's SO good. The whole room was in tears." "I think one of the most overlooked facts of the #WickedMovie Casting was that EVERYONE HAD to audition. NO straight offers they showed up! It was incredibly humbling to witness these actors spill their guts on the floor for this movie."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2022 05:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).