Ariana Grande didn’t want to allow the original Evil Song “Popular” is converted into a hip-hop version.

Stephen Schwartz, the composer and lyricist of the original Broadway show – which premiered in 2003 and is now a successful feature film from Universal – wanted to change Glinda’s big song for the film version. Performed on stage with two beds, “Popular” features Glinda’s high voice and bubbly personality as she does Elphaba’s hair and shows her how to flirt. But Schwartz wanted to try something new for the film, in which Ariana Grande plays Glinda opposite Cynthia Erivos Elphaba.

“In the spirit of being open to new things for the film, my music team and I thought: let’s freshen up the rhythm. Let’s, maybe, I don’t know, do some hip-hop,” Schwartz said Los Angeles Times. However, he recalled that Grande rejected the idea, saying, “No way, don’t do it. ‘I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda.'”

Schwartz previously added Time Grande insisted they would stay true to the original, adding that changes to “Popular” would have to be made based on Glinda’s motivations. “She does unimaginative things in them, but I think they’re very character-based,” Schwartz said. “It was something she was very insistent about.”

Schwartz also remembered Evil‘s extended ending to the song, which Grande was initially hesitant to perform. However, when he explained to Grande that Glinda would do this, she was “totally” on board.

Christopher Scott, the choreographer, said this Los Angeles Times about the little nods Grande wanted to incorporate into her performance to show respect to Broadway’s original Glinda, Kristin Chenoweth.

“That whole ‘communicator’ (movement where Grande raises her arms), that physicality was in a way her homage to Kristin Chenoweth,” Scott said. “I was so grateful to have an actress who has so much love and care not just for the character she’s playing, but for the whole thing Evil Legacy.”

Grande has revealed that it has been her lifelong dream to play Glinda. Director Jon M. Chu narrated The Hollywood Reporter that he was initially hesitant to cast Grande because he was thinking Evil was “too big” to have a huge pop star on it. “There was no way Ariana Grande, who had never done a movie before, could do this,” Chu said.

Chu admitted that Grande “didn’t win the role at the first audition.” However, as she continued to return for more auditions, Grande Chu continued to amaze with her understanding of the role and her comedic ability. Chu recalled saying, “‘She’s so funny. She’s the most interesting person in the room.’ We kept bringing them back.”

Chu further explained how Grande showed up one day and completely embodied the character. “Her voice was different. The way she walked was different. I’ve never seen anyone change like that. She deserves this thing like no other.”

Evil hit theaters on November 22nd and has already defied gravity at the box office. Since its opening weekend, the film has grossed $114 million domestically, the largest box office opening ever for a Broadway adaptation.