Mom’s viral rewrite of ‘Popular’ from Wicked is the empowering anthem we all need

If you’re a parent in 2024, there’s a good chance your car has turned into a mobile Wicked karaoke stage. Since the movie dropped, Elphaba and Glinda’s magical melodies have taken over our social media feeds and family playlists. (Who among us hasn’t belted out Defying Gravity with total Broadway-level conviction? Or… at least tried?)

But while Wicked is packed with unforgettable songs, one mom is rethinking the messaging behind Glinda’s cheeky anthem, Popular. Nika Diwa, a mom and content creator, rewrote the lyrics to deliver a more positive, empowering message for her young daughter. Naturally, she went viral for it with over 6 million views. (It’s that good.) Spoiler alert: her new version is pure magic.

A Wickedly good makeover

Glinda’s original Popular is all about becoming the kind of person who everyone admires—usually by changing your looks, behaviors, or personality. Catchy? Definitely. But if your kids are taking the lyrics a little too literally, it might feel—let’s say—less-than-ideal.

Enter: Nika Diwa’s rewrite. With lyrics like “Don’t forget to wear your crown” and “Being yourself is the best way to go,” Diwa flips the script on what it means to be ‘popular.’ The mom of two turned Glinda’s bubbly advice into an anthem of self-acceptance, kindness, and confidence—making it a bop every parent can proudly blast.

Related: Is Wicked for kids? Here’s what you need to know

Here are some of her parody lyrics:
Popular
Who cares if you’re popular
Don’t listen to all that noise
All those silly boys
Don’t forget to wear your crown
Oh!
Don’t matter what clothes you wear
How you fix your hair
Everything they tell you to be popular
Don’t gotta be popular
Be kind to those of all sorts
You’ll have my support
Know when you need to say “no”
Cause you’re smart
Being yourself is the best way to go.

The updated lyrics have earned praise from parents (and Frozen’s Kristen Bell!) for encouraging kids to prioritize authenticity over superficial popularity.

Related: Nicole Scherzinger fought to keep Moana’s mom alive—and calls out Disney’s missing moms

Why it matters

For moms like Diwa—and, let’s face it, the rest of us—parenting in the age of social media means battling a constant stream of ‘you should be more like this’ messages aimed at kids.” Whether on TikTok, Instagram, or the playground, the pressure to fit in can feel overwhelming. Diwa’s Popular remix is a much-needed reminder for kids (and adults!) to embrace what makes them unique and stand tall in their own crowns.

And it’s not just kids who are inspired. In the comments, parents shared how much they appreciated a fresh take on a beloved classic. “I’m rewriting all of Broadway for my kids now,” one mom joked. Another added, “Thank you for this! Teaching our daughters to embrace themselves is everything.” 

Nika Diwa’s empowering remix of Popular is a pitch-perfect reminder that the best way to be “popular” is to be yourself—and kind while you’re at it. So the next time you hear Glinda’s catchy tune, consider Diwa’s alternative lyrics a parent-approved update for your next family singalong.

Because whether it’s Wicked, parenting, or life itself, staying true to yourself will always steal the show.