SCARLETT SPEARS MAKES BIG SCREEN DEBUT AS YOUNG GLINDA IN WICKED SEQUEL
TL;DR: Eight-year-old Scarlett Spears, who has charmed General Hospital audiences as Donna Corinthos since 2022, is making her big-screen magical debut as Young Glinda in the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good. The role, which was added during reshoots, has earned her glowing praise from Ariana Grande herself, and represents a major milestone for the young actress who’s been working professionally since she was four years old.
The Secret’s Out: Scarlett Spears Goes Galinda
When the latest trailer for Wicked: For Good dropped on October 22, 2025, eagle-eyed General Hospital fans got the shock of their lives. There, in full pink-bubble glory, stood General Hospital’s little Donna Corinthos—also known as actress Scarlett Spears—declaring “I want to be magical — for real!” She’d been transformed as Young Glinda in what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of 2025.
The announcement, which Spears’ team revealed on social media with the caption “We’ve been keeping a WICKED secret!!!” confirmed what the family had been sitting on for months: their little girl had landed a role in one of Hollywood’s biggest productions. The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, hits theaters November 21, 2025, and Spears will play the childhood version of the character portrayed by Grammy-winning superstar Ariana Grande.
Why Young Glinda Matters More Than You Think
This isn’t just a cute cameo or a blink-and-you-miss-it moment. According to industry reports, Young Glinda was specifically added to Wicked: For Good during reshoots, meaning the filmmakers recognized they needed this character to deepen the story. The first Wicked film introduced viewers to younger versions of both Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo as an adult) and Nessarose (played by Marissa Bode as an adult), so adding Young Glinda to the sequel creates narrative symmetry and gives audiences insight into what shaped the woman who would become Glinda the Good.
Ariana Grande herself made it crystal clear just how significant Spears’ contribution to the film is. Posting a photo of herself embracing the young actress on set, Grande wrote: “my tiny girl in the bubble, played by the wonderful and talented @miss.scarlett.brielle, thank you for your beautiful work and for allowing the world to understand our Galinda more deeply than ever before.. ♡ i adore you so.”
Let that sink in. One of the biggest pop stars in the world—who is also an Academy Award-nominated actress—is thanking an eight-year-old for helping the audience understand her character on a deeper level. That’s not just Hollywood politeness; that’s genuine artistic appreciation for what Spears brought to the role.
Meet Scarlett Spears: The 8-Year-Old With a Resume Most Adults Would Envy
If you think Wicked: For Good is Spears’ first rodeo, think again. This Florida native has been a working professionally since before she could read chapter books. She began modeling at just four years old, and by the time she was five, she’d already landed the role of Donna Corinthos on General Hospital—the beloved daughter of soap super couple Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright).
Since joining GH in November 2022, Spears has become a fan favorite, bringing natural charisma and genuine emotion to every scene. Whether she’s dealing with her parents’ complicated relationship, accidentally taking her father’s lithium thinking they’re vitamins (a major storyline that revealed Sonny had been given placebos), or performing at the Nurses’ Ball with her young co-stars, Spears has shown remarkable range for such a young performer.
Her character was named in honor of Donna Messina, the head of General Hospital’s hair and makeup department who passed away in December 2018 after more than 35 years with the show. In a touching tribute posted in June 2025, Spears’ mother shared a photo of the young actress looking at a memorial plaque for Messina on the GH premises, showing the deep connection Spears feels to the character and its real-life inspiration.
Building a Blockbuster Resume
Wicked: For Good isn’t even Spears’ first major film role. She previously portrayed Young Dora in the live-action Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado movie, bringing “heart and spirit” to the iconic Nickelodeon character. She also made a memorable appearance as the tantrum-throwing child in Pink’s music video “Not Gonna Not Dance Again,” showcasing her ability to deliver emotionally charged performances in a music-driven setting.
On top of her film and television work, Spears has appeared in numerous national commercials, building the kind of experience and on-camera confidence that most child actors spend years developing. Her Instagram bio (managed by her mother, Sharline) describes her as “an 8-year-old actress, model, and all-around performer whose natural talent and infectious energy have already earned her an impressive resume.”
That’s not parental hyperbole. It’s just facts.
The Ariana Grande Effect: When Your Co-Star Becomes Your Biggest Fan
Perhaps the most touching aspect of Spears’ Wicked casting is the genuine affection and respect Ariana Grande has shown for her young scene partner. Beyond the Instagram tribute, Grande also shared the trailer to her Instagram Stories with the caption “crying, introducing the very wonderful and talented @miss.scarlett.brielle as young Glinda I love you.”
The Spears family responded in kind, with Scarlett’s mom writing in the comments: “We love you SO much @arianagrande – what an HONOR it is to be part of your world. We love you, endlessly. Thank you for making this little girls dream come true. 
.”
On Scarlett’s own social media page, the family posted: “We love you Forever, @arianagrande Thank you for believing in my little girl. Dreams do come true #soblessed.”
Yep, all involved seem to share a love for emojis!
This mutual admiration society speaks volumes about what must have happened on set. Grande didn’t have to go out of her way to praise Spears so effusively. The fact that she did—multiple times, in multiple posts—suggests that the young actress made a genuine impression not just with her performance, but with her professionalism and personality.
The General Hospital Family Celebrates
Naturally, Spears’ GH family was among the first to celebrate the news. Jacqueline Grace Lopez (who played Blaze) wrote on Instagram, “Gaah! Congrats Scarlett!,” while one of Spears’ on-screen siblings, Rory Gibson (who plays Michael Corinthos), chimed in with applause emojis. Laura Wright, who plays Spears’ on-screen mother Carly, responded to the memorial plaque photo with crying and heart emojis, showing the genuine bond the cast has formed with their youngest member.
It’s worth noting that Spears was only five years old when she started playing Donna, and she’s grown up on the GH set over the past three years. The show’s veteran actors have watched her develop not just as a performer, but as a person, making this Wicked achievement feel like a family celebration.
What This Role Means for Young Performers
Landing a role in Wicked: For Good is significant for any actor, but for an eight-year-old, it’s potentially career-defining. The Wicked franchise is a cultural phenomenon. The first film was both a critical and commercial success, and the sequel is one of 2025’s most anticipated releases. This means Spears will be seen by millions of people worldwide—a level of exposure that goes far beyond even the most popular daytime drama.
From Modeling to Movie Magic: The Spears Trajectory
Spears’ career trajectory is fascinating to track. She started as a model at four years old, building the camera confidence and comfort with being on set that would serve her well in acting. By five, she’d transitioned to screen acting with General Hospital, learning the unique rhythms and demands of daily daytime television. She branched into film with the Dora movie and music videos, showing versatility across different mediums and genres.
Now, at eight years old, she’s part of a major Hollywood musical production alongside A-list talent like Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Ethan Slater. That’s not just lucky breaks—that’s the result of consistent work, natural talent, strong parental support, and the kind of on-set professionalism that makes directors want to cast you again.
Balancing Oz and Port Charles
The good news for General Hospital fans is that Spears hasn’t left the show. She continues to appear as Donna, most recently dealing with storylines involving her father Sonny’s mental health struggles and her mother’s complicated relationship with Jack Brennan. The filming schedule for Wicked: For Good has obviously wrapped (since the trailer is already out), meaning Spears successfully balanced both her soap opera commitments and her feature film work.
This ability to juggle multiple projects is another sign of her professionalism and the strong support system she has in place. Child actors often struggle with the demands of multiple productions, but Spears seems to be thriving in both worlds.
The Magic Moment!
The brief glimpse we get of Young Glinda in the trailer is tantalizing. Dressed in full pink Glinda regalia, Spears delivers the line “I want to be magical — for real!” with a combination of wonder and determination that perfectly captures both a child’s innocence and the seeds of the ambitious witch Glinda will become.
It’s a moment that resonates on multiple levels. On the surface, it’s a child expressing a desire for magic—something universal to childhood. But knowing what we know about adult Glinda’s journey in Wicked, that line takes on deeper meaning. It hints at the insecurities, the desire for power and admiration, and the complicated relationship with authenticity (“for real!”) that will define Glinda’s character throughout the story.
That Spears can convey all of that in one line from a trailer suggests she understood the assignment on a level that goes beyond just saying words. She’s not just playing dress-up in a pretty pink costume. She’s laying the emotional groundwork for an adult character’s entire arc.
What’s Next for Scarlett Spears?
With Wicked: For Good set to premiere November 21, 2025, Spears is about to experience a level of fame and recognition that few eight-year-olds ever see. The film will be accompanied by a promotional blitz, including the NBC special Wicked: One Wonderful Night (airing November 6), which will feature the cast performing songs from both films.
Whether or not Spears will participate in the promotional tour remains to be seen, but her role in the film is significant enough that it wouldn’t be surprising to see her on red carpets and in interviews alongside her more famous castmates. After all, if Ariana Grande is willing to go to bat for her talent and contribution to the film, the studio would be smart to showcase that.
Beyond Wicked, Spears’ career options are wide open. She’s proven she can handle the demands of daily television, big-budget films, and everything in between. She has the charisma, the training, and the work ethic to continue building a substantial career—assuming that’s what she and her family want for her future.
The Bigger Picture: Representation and Visibility
There’s also something meaningful about seeing a child actor from daytime television land such a high-profile role in a major motion picture. For too long, soap operas have been treated as somehow lesser than primetime or film work, despite the incredible skill required to memorize pages of dialogue daily and deliver emotional performances on tight schedules.
Spears’ journey from General Hospital to Wicked: For Good is a reminder that talent is talent, regardless of where it’s currently being showcased. The skills she’s honed playing Donna—the emotional authenticity, the ability to take direction, the professionalism required for long shooting days—all translated beautifully to the feature film world.
It’s validation for daytime television as a training ground for serious actors, and it’s proof that casting directors for major films are smart enough to look beyond traditional channels when searching for the perfect person for a role.
The Bottom Line
Scarlett Spears is the real deal. At eight years old, she’s accomplished more than many actors do in their entire careers, and she’s done it with apparent grace, professionalism, and genuine joy in her work. Her casting as Young Glinda in Wicked: For Good isn’t just a cute story about a soap star landing a movie role. It’s a testament to her talent, hard work, and the kind of on-screen magic that made both Ariana Grande and the film’s director believe she was the only person who could bring this character to life.
When Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21, audiences around the world will get to see what General Hospital fans have known for years: Scarlett Spears is a star. She’s just getting started, and if this is what she’s accomplishing at eight years old, the future is blindingly bright.
Or should we say… magically bright. For real.
