The emotional press tour for Evil continues into awards season with the film’s digital release. And listen, complaining at this point about Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s display of sisterhood is tiring for anyone who hasn’t made two movies in a row and sang the musical’s iconic songs live.

These women became Elphaba and Glinda for the fans and it shows. In an interview with Variety, the stars discussed their changes – especially Grande. As one of the most recognizable global pop superstars, she had to become completely unrecognizable in the role, perhaps going back to the roots of who she’s always been: a theater kid at heart with a dream of playing the role of a lifetime.

“Maybe people underestimate how long we spent finding and disappearing into these women,” Grande told the trade. “So when it takes a while for certain tones or behaviors to go away, sometimes people make fun of them. But we had a job to do, and we had things to lose ourselves in — because that’s what the piece required.”

She added that she would likely keep Glinda with her in her next evolution. “I think it could stay that way,” she said, referring specifically to her new Old Hollywood style. “Galinda required me to do a lot of vocal work. Certain things may not melt away. Some will, but I’m truly grateful for the pieces that will stay with us forever. What a beautiful thing to be left behind and feel the spirit of each day.”

For Erivo, becoming Elphaba meant working for the visible representation of all people who felt excluded. In the days since the film’s release, Erivo has been touched by the love of the Ozdust Ballroom scene. Anyone who has ever felt different knew it Exactly What Elphaba felt when she stood out at the social gathering among Ozians and Shiz students. “I was talking to a friend earlier this week,” Erivo said, “and he said, ‘I just want to confirm that you were bullied.’ That moment gave me the opportunity to look at it again, to process it, to feel it and to share it.” And it made the moment where Galinda dances with her to accept her at the core of the film’s message of belonging.

For Grande, this moment, alongside the film’s opening, says a lot about the meaning of sisterhood and allyship. At the beginning of the film, her character lights up a portrait of her friend, WeidenmannStyle. “Similar to what Ozdust felt like for you, it felt like setting you on fire a million times in a row!” she said of the emotionally challenging task.

As true Evil Fan, Grande remembered that the story was always about the somehow radical The idea that we must stand together with those we love, no matter how different they are, in the face of the shiny Emerald City façade of fascism behind the curtain. “When Evil I remember the people in my life coming out on Broadway for the first time having this exact discussion,” Grande shared. “It’s time for people to say, ‘Oh, how can I be a better ally?’ Because that’s how we’ve always survived. With these friendships and allies we have always been able to survive.”

Erivo added: “What keeps coming to mind is how much people need it,” she said. “It gives people permission to see themselves as people who can help. It may not be easy, but it is not impossible. That’s the kind of thing that permeates.”

Evil is now available in cinemas and digitally.