The Boricua Talent in Wicked: For Good — Scarlett Spears Shines as Little Glinda
There’s a new bruja buena lighting up Oz — and she’s proudly Boricua. The Boricua Talent in Wicked: For Good, Scarlett Spears, is only eight years old, yet she has already captured hearts as Little Glinda. Seeing a Boricua niña shine inside one of Hollywood’s most magical universes feels like witnessing a new light spark across Oz. Scarlett isn’t just acting. Instead, she’s walking her own yellow brick road filled with talento, cultura, and the dreams of every Latino kid who always believed magic belonged to us too.
When Scarlett appeared in the October 22 teaser, the internet immediately fell in love. Fans rushed to the comments with “Baby Ariana!!! 😭💗” and praised how adorable she looked in Glinda’s pink gown. Her resemblance to Ariana Grande made the moment feel like destiny. And when she whispered, “I want to be magical for real,” Latino families everywhere felt the emoción — because we know how powerful it is when a niña dreams out loud.

Ariana Grande later shared a behind-the-scenes photo with Scarlett. In her caption, she wrote, “My tiny girl in the bubble… thank you for your beautiful work.” Scarlett’s mom answered with pure corazón, calling it an honor and thanking Ariana for making her daughter’s dream come true. These moments, filled with cariño and visibility, already belong to our cultural memory.
Even her castmates couldn’t help but praise her. During the New York City premiere, Ethan Slater spoke with E! News and turned directly to Scarlett, saying, “You’re so unbelievably good in this movie… I can’t wait for people to see it.” He called her “the best,” proving she is already becoming one of the most exciting young talents to watch.
Scarlett’s role carries real cultural weight. Glinda is one of the most iconic characters in musical history — sparkly, beloved, and full of personality. Therefore, having a Boricua girl portray her early story matters. It gives our niñas the chance to see themselves at the center of a fantasy world. It also means our culture becomes part of blockbuster storytelling, woven into the magic instead of staying on the sidelines. In many Puerto Rican homes, imagination is part of our DNA. From abuela’s cuentos to childhood dreams, magic lives in us. Now, one of our own is part of a global fairytale, proving once again that la magia también es Boricua.

As Wicked: For Good continues Glinda and Elphaba’s emotional journey, Scarlett becomes the heart of Glinda’s beginnings. She shows us Glinda before the gowns, before the fame, and before the bubble. Her innocence brings depth to the character and adds a touch of Boricua brilliance to Oz. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Bowen Yang, and more, the film expands Oz with the same corazón and wonder that made the first movie a global sensation.
Scarlett Spears isn’t just playing a role. She’s living the dream so many Latina girls whisper before bed. She’s proving that fantasy worlds have space for nuestras historias and our shine. No dream is too big for a Latina with corazón, ganas, and imagination. Scarlett is already showing what it looks like to be a young Boricua making her mark in Hollywood — simply by being herself.
Whatever way our stories end, The Boricua Talent in Wicked: For Good is walking her yellow brick road with orgullo. Scarlett reminds Latino kids everywhere that they belong in every world — especially the magical ones. And from now until Emerald City, we’re cheering her on every step of the way.
Be sure to book your movie tickets to watch WICKED: FOR GOOD — IN THEATERS NOVEMBER 21.