Lorna Luft, daughter of the legendary Judy Garland, offered a heartfelt take on how her late mother might have felt about the hit movie Wicked. Speaking to PEOPLE, Luft, now 72, said with certainty, “She would’ve loved it.” This article draws from quotes and details reported by PEOPLE in their interview with Lorna Luft. Read the full story here. When asked which songs from the film her mother might have adored, Luft laughed, “I have no idea. But she would’ve loved it.”
It’s not hard to imagine why Luft feels this way. Garland, forever etched in history as Dorothy Gale from 1939’s The Wizard of Oz, lived a career filled with emotional depth and bold performances. Wicked, adapted from Stephen Schwartz’s Tony-winning musical and Gregory Maguire’s novel, explores the untold tale of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande)—a story of friendship and defiance that mirrors Garland’s own journey. Her Golden Globe for A Star Is Born (1954), the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1961, and a Tony Award are just a few markers of her enduring legacy, which lasted until her passing in 1969.
Luft also shared her admiration for Stephen Sondheim, calling him “a treasure, a national treasure to all of us” in her PEOPLE interview. “I think it’s just an honor to be here. I really, really do,” she added, reflecting her deep respect for the musical theater icon whose influence touches Wicked’s Broadway roots.
The film has soared, nabbing 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and winning for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design. Ariana Grande, who brings Glinda to life, infused the role with personal passion, even receiving the original wand from Garland’s 1939 film on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2024. “Me, everyone, we all cried every day,” Grande shared on the Sentimental Men podcast in November 2024, hinting at the emotional weight of the project.
As anticipation builds for Wicked: For Good, arriving November 21, fans speculate about Dorothy’s role in the sequel. For now, Luft’s words forge a bridge between Garland’s Oz legacy and this modern triumph. Alongside siblings Joey, 70, and Liza Minnelli, 79, Luft carries her mother’s memory forward—and Wicked might just be the magic Judy would’ve embraced.
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