I don’t know about you, but I will gravely miss Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo slaying Wicked premiere fits after the pair gave us a lot of method dressing to talk about the past two years. However, the wildly talented stars might be understandably OK with sitting out a lot of public appearances after what happened at the Singapore premiere during the For Good press tour. Months later, Erivo has recounted what it was like to go viral for defending her co-star when a fan hurled himself at her.

On November 13, 2025, Johnson Wen, a fan, climbed over the barricade of the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good and put his arm around Grande before Erivo and a round of security pushed him off her.

In the video he posted about this, he surprised multiple celebrities with the same move, captioning the montage as “I dreamed about meeting my favorite celebrities.” However, there has been clear discomfort when he’s jumped up to surprise the famous people he’s interacted with. Here’s what Erivo remembers about the Wicked: For Good incident:

Erivo recalled what she was thinking in a new interview with Variety. As the profile points out, while many cited the Elphaba actor as a “hero” for how she jumped to Grande’s aid, others found it to be an “overreaction.” Here’s what she thinks:

Wen pouncing toward Grande definitely looked like it left her rattled. One should also keep in mind that the singer/actress was diagnosed with PTSD after a suicide bomber killed 22 people at one of her shows in Manchester, England, in 2017. Erivo also had this to say:

Following the viral moment, some had referred to Cynthia Erivo as Grande’s “bodyguard”. Erivo said the public reaction to the video thinks “maybe” it caused her to pull back from making as many appearances for Wicked: For Good, especially regarding the film’s awards campaign, which ended with the Wicked sequel getting completely shut out of the 2026 Oscars. As Erivo added:

It’s a bummer that Erivo felt that way after all the love for her role as Elphaba in the two musicals. Following the conclusion of the Wicked movies played out in For Good, we’re certainly curious about whether Wicked 3 is in Erivo and Grande’s futures. You can watch both Wicked movies right now with a Peacock subscription or rent/buy them on digital, DVD and Blu-Ray.

Is it just me, or does the 2026 movie calendar feel a little barren without another Wicked movie coming out this fall. Of course, I knew Wicked would just be two acts as that’s how it has always been for the stage musical, but now that the curtain has fallen on the movie adaptation, I think it’s high time we talk about the lion in the room. What’s Universal going to do next with Wicked after its commercial success?

What Universal Has Said About More Wicked Movies

When Wicked: For Good hit theaters this past fall and smashed box office records, it marked the end of the full story of the Broadway musical being told on film. But, if I know anything about how Hollywood works, it’s that the industry doesn’t typically send titles packing when they make the kind of impact these movies did. And, when Universal’s chief marketing officer Michael Moses spoke to Vulture back in November, he said this:

Now, I don’t personally love the business model of figuring out how to branch out universes just because a studio has made a lot of money and can, but what can I say, it works for Hollywood. Just look at those Fast & Furious movies! Various cast members from the Wicked movies are also keeping their minds open on the topic, including Jonathan Bailey, who said this to Esquire:

That “potential” is what I want to talk about next. I think I’ve come up with the three most viable ways Universal could continue Wicked, and it’s time to talk about it.

How I Think A Wicked Followup Could Happen

While Universal could certainly try to continue the story after the events of the Broadway musical, I don’t think they should do that. I think the best way in would be to focus on one of these three arcs:

A Glinda Spinoff

The Wicked followup that feels the most “duh” to me is Ariana Grande reprising her role as Glinda for a bubblegum-pop filled journey through Oz. The pop queen really transformed into a movie star for these movies as an indisputable highlight of these adaptations, and it definitely felt like there was room for her character to expand even further by the end of For Good. After being kind of a hack witch throughout the events of both Wicked films, she finally was able to perform magic and she’ll certainly be facing a lot of new challenges as the new leader of Oz.

Recently, it was also announced that Wicked author Gregory Maguire is publishing a prequel called Galinda: A Charmed Childhood. I could see Universal deciding to adapt that along with adding some new material for Grande – perhaps as a brand new musical? It’s kind of a no-brainer if they can find writers who can really create a new story worth telling for her.

Perhaps the whole crux of a new Wicked movie is in the idea that Glinda thought Elphaba did die for years until she somehow discovers she’s been in hiding, and goes on a quest to save her from something. I’m also still on the edge of my seat about what happened to Tin Man after the events of For Good!

Son Of A Witch Adaptation

It’s also worth noting that Maguire has four Wicked novels, a sequel series called Another Day, a short story collection about Oz folklore and a prequel novel for Elphaba. The first sequel to the events of Wicked is called Son Of A Witch and it’s about the son of Elphaba and Fiyero. His name is Liir, and he’s a 14-year-old boy who goes on a quest to find his half sister in a politically-fractured Oz.

The reason why I think this is less likely to happen than a Glinda spinoff is because in the novel, Elphaba is already dead, and it’s even more dark than the original Wicked book. Since these movies have thus far been family friendly, perhaps Universal might loosely adapt it, or use it as an inspiration for a new story that’s still about Elphaba and Fiyero’s son?

A Movie About The Origins Of Oz

Another path down the yellow brick road Universal could take to continue the world of Wicked is by going back in time, using the prequel route, and telling the story of Oz. When fantasy or sci-fi movies are popular, Hollywood certainly likes this idea – think Star Wars or Hunger Games. I do think I’d be interested to know how Oz was able to trick the people of the fantastical world. He was an all powerful wizard for decades, but this would leave out one thing that makes Wicked so great: the female friendship between Glinda and Elphaba.

Personally, I don’t love any of these options, but I’m not the kind of genius who revitalized The Wizard of Oz into Wicked, either. No matter what happens, I think what would really get me to sit up and pay attention is if there was another Wicked movie musical, with some incredible talent behind it to expand a new corner of the world.

While thinking about what Universal might be “figuring out” from a fan’s perspective, I also think it would make sense for there to be a pretty significant wait for the next movie. For example, I think after a few years of missing Glinda, Elphaba and the world, I would be all in on going back to Oz and catching up with the poppy-filled fantasy land.

Anyways, this is quite a puzzle isn’t it? No matter what does or does not happen with Wicked at Universal, I feel I have been changed for good by the musical being adapted into films!

Critics and fans alike were all over Wicked when it hit theaters in 2024, but it’s no secret that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s press tour rubbed a few folks the wrong way. Some speculate this could be why, despite sky-high expectations for its follow-up, Wicked: For Good, it underperformed at the box office. One Oscar voter even confirmed the two’s interview behavior turned off many voters. However, one of the stranger rumors bandied about was that the two stars were lovers, and someone finally asked Erivo about it.

During a recent wide-ranging interview with Stylist, Erivo addressed the wave of speculation that followed her and Grande throughout the two-part adaptation’s rollout. Reflecting on the fascination with their closeness, she suggested the reaction had less to do with them and more to do with how audiences interpret intimacy between women. In her words:

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo captured significant media attention during the promotional run for the first part of For Good. If you followed the press tour even casually, you probably remember the viral clips. The hand-holding. The teary-eyed interviews. For some viewers, it read as heartfelt and genuine, while others felt it was performative. Either way, it generated conversation.

The Harriet star believes part of the discomfort stems from how rarely we see deeply bonded, platonic female friendships presented in the media. She continued:

The Outsider veteran actress’s perspective adds an interesting layer to the discourse. Hollywood is no stranger to on-screen chemistry being exaggerated for marketing purposes. Fauxmances are practically part of the promotional playbook; Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney did it with Anyone But You and, more recently, Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi of faced fauxmance accusations with Wuthering Heights. But in this case, the Bad Times at the El Royale performer is pushing back on the idea that closeness must equal romance or strategy.

Let’s not forget, too, that Wicked wasn’t some quick press-cycle fling. It was a massive, years-long production that required both Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to live inside these characters emotionally and physically. When you’re pouring that much vulnerability into something and doing it side by side, it’s not shocking that a real bond forms. That kind of shared experience tends to create a sense of closeness. The problem is, the internet doesn’t really do nuance.

What I actually appreciate about Erivo addressing this head-on is that she’s widening the conversation. The rumor itself might’ve been tabloid fodder, but the bigger issue is how uncomfortable people seemed to get when two women were visibly close without a romantic angle.

Sometimes two women are just friends. Deeply connected, supportive, affectionate friends. And that shouldn’t feel revolutionary. Honestly, we could use stronger platonic relationships in media across the board. Not everything needs a will-they-won’t-they spin. Friends can just be friends. I’m fully on board with normalizing that.

Press tour discourse aside, if you want to revisit what made the franchise explode in the first place, the original Wicked is currently streaming, and Wicked: For Good is available to rent with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Wicked was a full-blown cultural moment when it hit theaters in 2024, which meant expectations were sky-high for its follow-up, Wicked: For Good. But as awards season rolls around, the contrast between the two films is hard to ignore. While the first movie earned 10 Academy Award nominations, the sequel was not treated kindly when it came to the 2026 Oscar nominations. Now, one Academy voter is shedding light on why the film failed to connect, and why its two leads ultimately left them cold.

Speaking with NewsNation, the voter said they found the sequel largely underwhelming and emotionally distant, despite the star power involved. In their view, the film never fully clicked, even with performers as acclaimed as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at its center. They explained:

The voter also pointed to the two films’ extensive press tour as a factor that didn’t help their perception. While Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo dominated headlines during the promotional run of the first part, leading up to For Good, the tone of their appearances struck some viewers as off-putting rather than endearing. The voter said the constant viral moments and heightened emotional displays ultimately worked against the sequel, adding:

The voter said it wasn’t just the movie that lost them, but the promotional campaign surrounding it as well. In their view, the press appearances felt off-putting, adding that the stars’ efforts to come across as genuine often had the opposite effect.

Several unscripted moments from the Wicked: For Good press tour went viral, diverting attention from the film itself. One widely discussed panel appearance showed producer Marc Platt grabbing Ariana Grande’s arm, prompting a visibly uncomfortable reaction and a swift, protective response from Cynthia Erivo. The clip spread quickly, with many viewers calling the exchange awkward and disproportionate.

A similar reaction followed a Paris premiere moment in which the two actresses were asked to describe each other’s “auras.” What began as a light question spiraled into another viral clip after Grande nervously second-guessed her answer, and Erivo responded with an elaborate description of her own. According to the voter, that cumulative fatigue played into the awards shutout, bluntly adding:

Whether audiences felt the same way as the Oscar voters' assessment or not, the divide between the two films is now firmly part of the conversation. For those curious to revisit what made the franchise take off in the first place, the original Wicked is currently available to stream, while Wicked: For Good can be rented with an Amazon Prime Video subscription, giving viewers the chance to decide for themselves where the magic faded.

While last year saw Wicked as a clear contender in the awards race, at this point, Wicked: For Good isn’t getting the same kind of attention. Make no mistake, Jon M. Chu's fantastical sequel is still receiving some award nominations, though some governing bodies haven't honored the films' cast and crew. Just recently, Chu himself was snubbed for a major honor as was Cynthia Erivo. Now, Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, is sharing her thoughts on the nominations her collaborators didn't receive.

In a recent interview with Variety, Grande opened up about her recent focus on acting as she enters a new phase in her career as well as what’s in store for her as an artist. She also discussedWicked: For Good being excluded from several awards this season. For instance, Cynthia Erivo has notably didn't land a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild Awards for her role as Elphaba. Despite this omission, it seems like Grande is tremendously proud of the work her co-star did, and couldn’t gush about her enough:

Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu was also not a nominee for the Directors Guild of America award this year. Grande was also generous with her praise of this collaborator as well, and she is clearly happy with the end product that Chu put out there. She said:

It’s important to note that Wicked: For Good hasn’t completely been shut out of awards season. Erivo and Grande were both nominated for Golden Globes for their performances in the film and, even though Erivo didn’t land a SAG nomination, Grande did. Someone could argue that much of this could be attributed to the belief that the second half of Wicked is generally weaker story-wise, and musically and that that prevented the film from reaching the heights of the original.

Despite the Wicked follow-up not being the awards darling that some anticipated, the cast and crew still have a lot to be proud of. As of this writing, the film has grossed over $520 million worldwide, making For Good a box office hit. The movie also seemed to resonate with fans, with many audiences sobbing after in their seats after the film concludes. It also showcases the blindly paired Erivo and Grande's tremendous talents, and they truly give spectacular, emotionally charged performances. In my humble opinion, the two actresses are the highlights of the film.

As for Jon M. Chu, he has officially entered the A-list canon of directors and is attached to splashy projects like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hot Wheels. Like the “Dangerous Woman” singer said, her collaborators have a lot to be proud of, even without being up front and center this awards season.

You can see Wicked: For Good now, as it’s still in select theaters nationwide. Fans can also revisit the first Wicked film now with a Prime Video subscription.

We’re deep into awards season, with the 31st Critics' Choice Movie Awards being held this past weekend, and the 83rd Golden Globe Awards airing on the 2026 TV schedule this upcoming Sunday. Looking further ahead into the future, the nominations for the 32nd Actors Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, have been announced, and there’s a solid lineup of performers that are in contention for those coveted Actor trophies. But as it goes with awards shows, there are also a fair amount of A-listers, including Dwayne Johnson, who didn’t make the cut.

It was only three months ago that Johnson was seen on the big screen starring as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in A24’s The Smashing Machine, which quickly drummed up accolades and awards buzz for the former Black Adam. While Johnson is among the actors who was announced as part of the 2026 Golden Globe nominations, he was not among the Actors Awards nominees unveiled earlier today. Instead, the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category consists of Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme, Leonardo DiCaprio in One Battle After Another, Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan in Sinners, and Jesse Plemons in Bugonia.

You can head over to the Actors Awards website to see the full list of nominees, but Adam Sandler, Emily Blunt, Amanda Seyfried, Cynthia Erivo and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the other actors who didn’t end up being recognized this year. Sandler would have been especially nice to see in the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role category for his role as Ron Sukenick in Jay Kelly. But like I said, there are always going to be perceived snubs when awards nominations are announced; you can’t include everyone, otherwise what would be the point in having these ceremonies?

The good news is that like Dwayne Johnson, Adam Sandler, Emily Blunt, Amanda Seyfried and Cynthia Erivo will also compete at the Golden Globes, with the latter two actresses earning recognition for The Testament of Ann Lee and Wicked: For Good, respectively. Blunt, of course, starred opposite Johnson in The Smashing Machine, with this marking their second collaboration together following Jungle Cruise. Going back to the Actors Awards, other movies and TV shows that have actors being recognized this year include Frankenstein, Hamnet, Severance, The Diplomat and The Studio, among others.

If you’re interested in seeing firsthand who walks away with Actors Awards, you’ll need a Netflix subscription, as the ceremony exclusively streams on that platform March 1 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Otherwise, continue checking back with CinemaBlend for news on the 2026 movie releases, as you can sure we’ll be talking more about snubs in various ceremonies around this time next year.

The conclusion of Wicked has come and gone from the 2025 movie schedule, but the release of the pair of movies feels like something we’re going to be talking about for years to come – especially for longtime fans of the musical. I just came across Jon M. Chu’s explanation of how Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were paired up, and I had no idea it went down this way.

I’ve definitely heard about how cutthroat auditioning for Wicked was. Amanda Seyfried said she auditioned for the role six times before not getting the role. I can’t imagine how many rounds the movies’ Glinda and Elphaba went through. Check out what the director said about how they decided on the actors as a pairing:

It's wild, isn’t it? I’d expect that Grande and Erivo went through a ton of chemistry tests together before nabbing the roles, but apparently each of them earned their roles separately before being combined into a memorable duo. It sounds like Chu wasn’t quite sure the two would blend, but took a shot in the dark after spending a lot of time on picking each role. As he continued:

John Chu took a chance on a blind pairing, and came up very much in luck with these two actresses. And the fact that the first song they got to duet is “For Good,” feels like the perfect way for their journey together to start. Of course, both of them are huge talents in their own right and are perfect in their respective roles, but their chemistry as friends is so key to Wicked. The director also said this in an interview from TODAY with Jenna & Friends:

The rest is certainly history! The first Wicked movie came out last fall to commercial succes and multiple Oscar nominations (including for Grande and Erivo). The second movie, For Good, led to more mixed feelings among audiences, particularly for its new additions, but that has nothing to do with its leads’ specific talents. (Oh, and the sequel broke some box office records.)

And who can forget some of the iconic press tour moments! From the pair joining forces to method dress at events, to their meme-worthy “holding space” moment, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as a pair are unforgettable. If you’re missing the Wicked movies, you can currently watch the first movie with an Amazon Prime subscription, and/or buy/rent them on your preferred digital platform.

Wicked: For Good ends with a bittersweet goodbye from Elphaba and Glinda, where they go their separate ways to the tune of “For Good.” But soon after, Dorothy dumps a bucket of water on the Wicked Witch, and she presumably melts away. Little does everyone in Oz know that Elphaba didn’t really die; she actually ran away with Fiyero/The Scarecrow. However, I've been wondering: Does Glinda know about her friend's true fate?

That question is never truly answered in one of the biggest movie releases of 2025, leaving the answer up to the audience’s interpretation. Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo just shared her personal opinion on the fan debate, saying this:

In a new interview with Variety, Erivo revealed she’s in the camp of those who think that Glinda is completely unaware that her friend didn't die at the hands of Dorothy. It’s definitely a more tragic reading of the movie than the other option, but the Wicked star has a good point that it’s perhaps in the best interest of Glinda not to know.

Director Jon M. Chu has also been asked about this aspect of Wicked: For Good, but he chose not to share his own feelings on the ending. He said that he has a “definitive idea” in his head, but prefers “everyone to be able to interpret it how they want to.” If you look at Wicked: For Good at face value, there’s no reason for Glinda to believe Elphaba is alive, considering what she saw and how she reacted after Dorothy poured the water on her. But one could argue that she might have an inkling since she is a powerful witch.

Cynthia Erivo also shared her thoughts on another aspect of the Wicked: For Good ending. In her words:

Erivo said she thinks when she gives Glinda the Grimmerie, the Wicked Witch “doesn’t need the book anymore” because she’s “already in possession of her magic”. It makes for a sweet full-circle moment for Ariana Grande’s character, who has had trouble tapping into her magic since she was a kid. I know one of the biggest surprises for me was Glinda’s stronger character arc in For Good amidst a host of new additions to the hit musical.

Wicked: For Good is in the top 15 highest-grossing movies of the year, with a $475 million worldwide gross, per Box Office Mojo. The sequel may not have been as acclaimed as its predecessor, but it still had a lot of love around it – our Wicked: For Good review gave it 4 out of 5 stars. What Glinda knows or doesn’t know isn’t the only loose end of the movie, but it is kind of fun that the movie starts a conversation about what happens next.

Jon M. Chu's Wicked: For Good broke box office records, and brought a conclusion to the beloved stage to screen adaptation. While it remains to be seen if the title joins the ranks of musicals that won Best Picture, one thing is clear: Jonathan Bailey and his slutty little glasses have the internet drooling. Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo gave us all an early Christmas present thanks to sharing a steamy photoshoot she and her co-star had. Is it hot in here or is it just me?

Bailey was recently named the Sexiest Man Alive, and for once, the internet seems to agree with this title. He and Erivo got to bring the romance in the Wicked: For Good song "As Long As You're Mine", complete with Elphaba's viral sex cardigan. The pair reunited and brought the heat with a new photo shoot for the magazine Wonderland. Erivo shared the pics on Instagram. Check them out below:

I'm not sweating, you're sweating. While Elphaba's cardigan kept things from getting too sexy in Wicked: For Good (it was rated PG after all), Bailey and Erivo didn't have to hold back in this photo shoot. We see the pair affectionately holding each other in the shoot, as well as solo thirst traps from them both. I guess this is what we can imagine the two characters doing after the ending of the second movie.

While we saw Elphaba longing for Fiyero in the first Wicked movie (which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription), their connection reached a boiling point in For Good. They finally got together prior to "As Long As You're Mine", although it wasn't long before things went badly for the pair of Ozians.

This post is sure to turn heads, especially considering just how many people are thirsting over Jonathan Bailey on any given day. Even prior to being named the Sexiest Man Alive, he went viral for his "slutty little glasses" in Jurassic World Rebirth (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). He also went viral for kissing co-star Scarlett Johansson while promoting the blockbuster. And these images with Erivo are only going to further grow his status as a sex symbol.

Between Wicked and Jurassic World Rebirth, Bailey has made history as an openly queer man starring in two of the biggest movies of the year. Add in his ongoing role in TV projects like Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers, and Heartstopper, and it feels like his career could go seemingly anywhere in the future.

Wicked: For Good is still in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list. Looking forward, he's set to reprise his role as Anthony when Bridgerton returns for Season 4, premiering January 29th with the 2026 TV schedule.

The 2026 Golden Globe nominations were announced today, and while there were some snubs that sting, (like Train Dreams not getting a Best Motion Picture nomination), there’s also plenty of deserving talent that was recognized. Cynthia Erivo is part of that group, because for the second time, she’s been nominated in the Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her performance as Elphaba Thropp, this time in Wicked: For Good. This also makes Erivo the first Black actress to be nominated twice in that very category, and the actress commented about this achievement on social media.

Cynthia Erivo is currently busy across the pond rehearsing to play all 23 roles in a West End production of Dracula early next year, but she took some time to comment on her Golden Globe nomination. Upon seeing a Variety story commenting about her being the first Black woman to earn this aforementioned distinction, she shared the following on her Instagram Stories:

The Golden Globe Awards have been held since 1944, so the fact that it’s taken over 80 years for a Black woman to be nominated Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy twice is shocking. Still, as I mentioned earlier, Cynthia Erivo is more than worthy of that nomination, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that she takes home the gold this year. This achievement follows a year after Denzel Washington became the first Black actor to receive 11 Golden Globe nominations, two of which he won (Glory and The Hurricane).

In another one of Erivo’s Instagram Stories, she also shared her general thoughts about her latest Golden Globe nomination. This included expressing gratitude to John M. Chu, who directed both Wicked movies, and her co-star Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda and was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture again for that performance:

Cynthia Erivo will compete this year against Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Amanda Seyfried for The Testament of Ann Lee, and Emma Stone for Bugonia. Whether or not Erivo wins Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, if last year is any indication, she’ll probably also score an Oscar nomination for Wicked: For Good. Although the second part of this film adaptation of the Broadway musical hasn’t earned as strong of critical praise as its predecessor, it has done well for itself at the box office, making over $440 million worldwide.

Wicked: For Good is still playing in theaters, so if you haven’t seen it already, carve out some time to do so before the 83rd Golden Globe Awards air January 11, 2026, both on CBS and streaming with a Paramount+ subscription. You can also currently use your Amazon Prime Video subscription to watch Wicked.

Minor spoilers for Wicked: For Good are ahead. You can see the project featured on the 2025 movie schedule in theaters now.

You can’t deny the dedication that went into Wicked’s costume designs, as well as the hair and makeup. For example, it took 225 hours to make Glinda’s bubble dress, and Cynthia Erivo spent two hours in the makeup chair to make her face green without CGI. However, following the release of Wicked: For Good, one costume in particular is causing a stir online as fans can't stop talking about Elphaba's "sex cardigan." Now, Erivo has shared her thoughtful take on it and its purpose.

In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba and Fiyero have a very sensual moment during the musical number “As Long As You’re Mine.” However, the green witch’s outfit choice of an oversized hole-filled sweater has been the talk of the internet, being dubbed Elphaba’s “sex cardigan.” Overall, many memes have emerged, and some have questioned why she's putting on clothes during this loving, tender and sexy moment.

Amid all that, Cynthia Erivo channeled her candid character and had a few words to say about the viral costume. At Elphaba’s Wicked Retreat Airbnb Originals Experience in Los Angeles (via People), Erivo weighed in on the cardigan’s purpose, and I do see her point:

This makes a lot of sense as Elphaba’s dark clothing has always been worn like “armor,” ready to fight. The inspiration behind Erivo’s character’s look, to begin with, was to represent a connection that Elphaba had with the natural world of Oz. But since the magical character is ready to be intimate with Fiyero, she can let down her shield and wear clothing that shows a different side of her.

While a bulky knit sweater isn’t exactly something you’ll find in a Victoria’s Secret catalogue, Cynthia Erivo continued to explain the importance of Elphaba’s sensual fashion of choice:

It’s true that the sweater does indeed make her “soft” as it droops down to her shoulders. Plus, we also need to remember that Elphaba isn’t supposed to be as fashion-forward as Glinda. As the rebellious witch has always been an outsider, she’s not going to wear what anyone else would. She follows the beat of her own drum and dresses the way she sees fit. You’ve gotta give the girl credit for that.

Even though Elphaba’s “sex cardigan” has gone viral for not being so sexy-looking, I’ve got to appreciate Cynthia Erivo’s take on the sweater making Elphaba look more “soft” and unguarded. It proves that each costume choice subtly helps us understand each Wicked character in ways we’ve overlooked, and I love that.

Now, to see all that costume work in action, you can see the well-reviewed Wicked: For Good in theaters now.

There’s no denying that Jon M. Chu’s Wicked adaptations have changed many people for good. After setting box office records with Act I in 2024, the second half of the movie defied gravity even further when it hit the 2025 movie calendar last month. It’s not just the average moviegoer who has been touched by Glinda and Elphaba’s friendship, but Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s peers in Hollywood as well, and Adam Sandler had lovely things to say when he spoke with the former about Wicked: For Good.

Adam Sandler and Ariana Grande sat down together for Variety and CNN’s “Actors on Actors” series, and while I’m not sure how much overlap their fanbases have, the Sandman had nothing but praise and admiration for what she accomplished as Glinda in Wicked: For Good. He told her:

It seems to me like when Adam Sandler talks about “we,” he’s probably referring to his wife Jackie and their daughters Sadie and Sunny — all of whom have become regular features in the Sandman’s movies. I love that they have apparently seen Wicked and Wicked: For Good and discussed the love that Glinda and Elphaba have for each other.

Adam Sandler also noted how intense things got for Ariana Grande’s character in the movie’s final act and recognized how much work it must have taken to stay in that emotionally heightened state while filming. While Grande admits to being a crier in real life, she said it’s not easy to tap into those emotions while playing a role. She said:

That sounds like a super smart and healthy way to handle that situation, intentionally focusing just on Glinda’s trauma to elicit an emotional response and not using tragedies from her own life, as many actors have done (and, at least in some cases, regretted).

We’ve been fortunate enough over the past year to witness the beautiful friendship that has formed between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, and I love that Grande was paired with Adam Sandler for this conversation, as he’s never shy about showing love for his friends either.

Ariana Grande can be seen currently in Wicked: For Good, which remains in theaters as Wicked: Part I can be streamed with a Prime Video subscription. Adam Sandler also has a new movie out, as he co-stars with George Clooney in Jay Kelly, which is available to watch with a Netflix subscription.

The firs Wicked movie (which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription) was an Oscar-winning success, with costume designer Paul Tazewell taking home an Academy Award for his work on the book to screen adaptation. The sequel For Good broke box office records, and once again brought some iconic costumes to the big screen. Although one look in particular has gone viral: the chunky cardigan Elphaba wore while singing "As Long As You're Mind" with Fiyero aka the sex cardigan. And the discourse has gotten so loud that Tazewell has weighed in.

Just like its predecessor, the costumes in Wicked: For Good are gorgeous, colorful, and methodically crafted. They help to immerse the audience in the world of Oz, and reflect the inner workings of the characters the Wicked cast is portraying. But that knit that Cynthia Erivo rocks throughout her love song is arguably the most viral of these looks. Just ask the internet.

What The Internet Has Been Saying About The "As Long As You're Mine" Cardigan

Anytime a movie or TV show gets popular, there are inevitably a ton of memes that make their way online. The Wicked films are no exception to this, and after For Good hit theaters back in November, there was instantly a ton of discourse about Elphaba's sex cardigan. While singing "As Long As You're Mine" she slips this number on, before she and Fiyero seemingly make love in her hideout.

Case in point: the following meme that uses an image from The Devil Wears Prada. This is a common format meme format for any time a piece of celebrity fashion goes viral. Check it out below:

I'm sorry, but the term "sex cardigan" is endlessly funny to me. On top of the chunky homemade look of this garment, some moviegoers just found it funny that Cynthia Ervio's character put clothes on during this heavily implied love scene. Hey, that's how you maintain a PG rating.

While some people were baffled by this choice of costume for Elphaba, others really loved. Another funny response that went around online is below:

Same, though. They say any press is good press, so the fact that this particular costume went viral is yet another reason why Wicked: For Good is such a sensation. There are a ton of memes about this sweater, with another funny response poking fun at her mixing lingerie with the handmade knit. Check it out below:

Funny enough, there are some fans who wanted "As Long As You're Mine" to be more steamy, despite Wicked: For Good's PG rating. Especially since the song included Sexiest Man Alive Jonathan Bailey, who got to have a brief shirtless scene after the song concluded. But what does Paul Tazewell think about the chatter related to his viral costume piece?

How Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Responded To The Sex Cardigan Discourse

Tazewell is having a great year, winning both an Oscar for the first Wicked movie and a Tony Award for his work on Death Becomes Her on Broadway. He recently spoke to NPR about his work on For Good, and eventually the subject of the sex cardigan came up. He spoke about his thought process behind this viral garment, saying:

Points were made. Elphaba is crafting her own clothes thanks to being on the lamb throughout For Good. And her hideout doesn't necessarily have walls or a real ceiling, so she's going to need to keep warm somehow. And just like that, the idea for the infamous cardigan was born.

While some moviegoers were tickled by Elphaba putting clothes on before sex, others wanted her to wear something a bit more sexy than the chunky homemade cardigan she wore during "As Long As You're Mine". In the same interview Tazewell went on to address those critics, saying:

His thought process behind Wicked: For Good's costumes were ultimately very character-based, especially Elphaba's viral cardigan. It's fun to take a look behind the curtain and see how the sausage gets made, and now fans have some answers as to how/why this garment in particular was crafted.

Wicked: For Good is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list.... complete with the sex cardigan. Now I'm wondering if Universal will put out some merch, allowing fans to wear a similar look.

I first fell in love with Wicked by way of the original Broadway soundtrack. I did get the chance to see it on stage too for a class field trip, but that was after I’d memorized every lyric of that CD from front to back. I filled so much of my own gaps around what happens between the songs that I nearly forgot the plot to Act II when the Wicked release date recently came. Even so, suffice to say, the beauty of the movies being split into two parts is it gives the audience more time to get to know its characters more than ever, and I need to talk about one way I think that really paid off.

Now that I’ve seen both movies, I’m left with a great love for Glinda that I never thought I would have. Let’s get into my personal journey with the character:

Growing Up, I Always Understood Elphaba Way More Than Glinda

As a bit of a girly-girl as a child, of course I loved Glinda when I got into Wicked. She’s the one who gets to be pretty and wear all the sparkly outfits. She symbolizes the archetype of how I wanted to be viewed in many ways, because Glinda is the “popular” girl who has no trouble fitting in and making friends. However, on an emotional level, I could instantly relate much more to the character of Elphaba. She symbolizes the misfit that doesn’t feel like she’s in the right place, and dreams that one day the thing that makes her feel different and weak will actually make her valuable and strong. (Looking back, Wicked is kind of the perfect story of young girls growing up in this way).

With that in mind, of course I ended up rooting for Elphaba, and I never really honestly cared about Glinda’s perspective, for example, when Elphaba leaves her to become the Wicked Witch or she loses Fiyero to her. I saw her as the stereotypical “mean” girl who gets what’s coming to her.

Ariana Grande's Performance Really Warmed Me Up To Glinda In The First Movie

Cut to my experience seeing Wicked last winter. I was looking forward to both performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, but wow, did Grande’s Glinda blow me away in a way I wasn’t expecting. Grande is the perfect Glinda. She grinds your gears when she gives Elphaba just a corner of her suite, or calls Elphaba names, who she also refers to as her “new project,” but there’s also something really charming about the role, and the way the actress brings depth to her.

The character specifically grows on you during the “Dancing Through Life” Ozdust Ballroom scene. When Glinda is given a chance for her dreams to be a witch to come true, thanks to Elphaba pulling some strings with Madame Morrible, that’s when their friendship really starts in my eyes. Glinda could have rested easily knowing she got what she wanted, but she sticks her neck out for Elphaba by dancing with her, and from there on out a true friendship really starts to form.

In the movies, Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship reminds me of some friendships I’ve had where I’ve felt like the other gal in the friendship feels “out of my league” in terms of life experience and affluence. At first there may be this wall up between you because it’s not a typical match, but once you realize you just want to be the other’s friend, there’s something really magical about an “opposites attract” kind of friendship like Glinda and Elphaba have. Their genuine moments together really made me believe them as friends more than the musical ever did (or had time to).

And In For Good, I Can Finally Understand Her Perspective

While Glinda finally sold me on the first movie, For Good really surpassed what I thought was possible for the character. And, this has a lot to do with the new additions made to For Good. I especially appreciated the flashback scene Glinda gets at the beginning of the movie following Elphaba having her own in the first part. We see a young Glinda as she gets a wand for her birthday, but doesn’t know how to use magic. She doesn’t feel like she’s good enough because she doesn’t possess magic, but she’s able to play it off and lead people to believe she does when a rainbow miraculously appears for her. Her mother then tells her that all she’ll ever need to do is “be liked,” and that obviously sticks with her into adulthood.

It’s a short scene, but it means so much to understanding Glinda, because you understand her motivations as she becomes the Good Witch, and effectively betrays her friend at first. She’s been told that in order to be valuable she needs to be “liked,” and therefore it’s the hardest thing in the world to do what Elphaba asks of her regarding taking a stand and go against the grain. But, it also means so much more when we see that Elphaba believes she can really do magic, and become who she really wants to be in the end.

And The New Song, 'Girl In The Bubble' Is A Big Reason Why

It’s also beautifully shown how she has her “hero” moment of growth, and ends up helping Elphaba after all in the end through the new “Girl In The Bubble Song”. Through the song, she basically realizes that she’s become loved due to layers and layers of “lies” and closing her eyes to what injustices have been going on doesn't sit right with her. As she seems to learn through the movie, if she really wants to be Glinda The Good, she has to settle for not being liked by everyone – and being a real person rather than the fantasy she’s kind of concocted for the world to see her as.

Watching For Good, I realized I relate both to Elphaba and now Glinda. Not unlike her, I have my own people-pleasing patterns I’m always trying to challenge, and Glinda’s arc is a beautiful reminder that it’s important to pop your own bubble in order to grow in your life. I’m so grateful for the love and care the filmmakers and actors brought to these roles when Glinda could have easily continues to simply be cast as the lovable mean girl because it only makes me love Wicked even more.

When it was first announced that Wicked, the long-awaited adaptation of the stage musical, would be two movies rather than just one, I have to say I was more than a little disappointed. Generally speaking, I’m really not a fan of adaptations that split themselves in half. I didn’t like it when Harry Potter did it, and I’m not even really a fan of Kill Bill as two films.

Splitting a story into two films always feels more like a studio decision made to double the ticket sales than it does a creative decision to make a better film. That said, I actually really enjoyed Wicked: Part One and thought it worked quite well as a single movie. Unfortunately, the sequel is far less successful.

I Loved How Wicked: Part One Worked As A Singular Movie

My major takeaway from Wicked: Part One when I saw it, was that I was impressed by how well the movie worked by itself. I called it the best “part one” movie I had seen at the time. By virtue of the fact that the original musical has a set break between its two acts, and the fact that there’s a time jump between them that’s measured in years, Act One, and by extension movie one, largely has to tell a complete story.

Elphaba has a complete character arc throughout Act One, which makes the first movie satisfying. There isn’t a need for another film to make it feel like a whole story. If only that had been the case with Wicked: For Good.

Wicked: For Good Doesn’t Work Nearly As Well On Its Own

Knowing how well Wicked: Part One worked on its own, and thinking that, having only seen the movie a year ago, that I remembered everything that happened in it, I decided not to rewatch the first movie before sitting down for For Good. This was a mistake on my part.

I wasn’t entirely wrong. When it came to the major plot beats, the primary cast, I remembered who everybody was, what their relationships were, and where the plot had left each of them. However, there were a lot of smaller details that I could not remember.

Did I recall that Elphaba had a run-in with a lion cub in the last movie? Yes. Could I tell you exactly what actually happened between them? No. Elphaba’s friend, who is a bear? No idea. Are we sure that was in the first movie?

While Elphaba’s character arc is complete at the end of the first film, For Good is much more the Glinda story. Nearly all of her character growth happens in the second film. That works pretty well, all things considered, but ultimately, Wicked is about the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, and that’s the arc that does get chopped in half. The emotional finale of the film isn’t Glinda’s resolution; it's the resolution of the relationship, and that’s done a disservice by the split story.

Wicked still works better than most stories that are split in half. It's two chapters of the story, rather than one chapter being sliced in half. But ultimately, the sequel doesn't work on its own the way the first movie did. That's fine, but maybe take some time to rewatch Part One before going to see For Good.

We’ve been waiting a year for the release of Wicked: For Good on the 2025 movie schedule. However, the two Wicked films were actually filmed at the same time. That means it was quite the beast of a project to film and edit together, and the movies’ editor, Myron Kerstein, told CinemaBlend just how difficult it was to juggle moments like “Popular” and “No Good Deed” at the same time.

Those who have seen the Broadway musical know that Act I and Act II of Wicked are tonally very different. While the first part is colorful, bubbly and fun, the story For Good covers is significantly darker. They truly are two totally different movies, and that made working on them at the same time a challenge. During an interview with CinemaBlend’s Rachel Rosenfeld, the movies’ editor Myron Kerstein explained why that was the case, saying:

This really isn’t for the faint of heart. I’d guess that making two movies at the same time would be rough regardless. However, juggling Wicked and Wicked: For Good feels like a particularly massive challenge, because it has to tell a cohesive story while also giving fans two distinctly different movies.

In the well-reviewed Wicked: For Good, we jump forward and meet Elphaba, Glinda and co. long after the events of the first film. They’re all grown up, they’re more mature, many of them are a lot angrier, and overall, the story is significantly darker.

Juggling that story with Wicked, which got great reviews, was a challenge. However, Kerstein told us that by working closely with cinematographer Alice Brooks, they were able to put it all together. He said:

Along with having conversations with the cinematographer about how to flip between things like the bubblegum pink number that is “Popular” and the deep dark moment that is “No Good Deed,” he also spoke with director Jon M. Chu a lot. Explaining how the conversations with the filmmaker helped the editor, Kerstein said:

Since they filmed Wicked and Wicked: For Good at the same time and not in chronological order, the cast and crew probably always had to be aware of where they were in the story while also being able to jump to a totally different point on a moment's notice. On top of all that, they had to keep the full vision in mind. So, I can see why it could get confusing.

Overall, I totally get why working on both films was a “bit of a brain fry.” However, it all worked out! Now, we can all watch Wicked with an Amazon Prime subscription, and you can see Wicked: For Good in theaters now.

A number of musicals have won Best Picture over the years, and another contender for this year's Awards Season will be Jon M. Chu's Wicked: For Good. The first movie, which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription, adapted the first act of the stage musical, and the sequel will show its conclusion. I'm an apologist for Act 2 of the Tony-winning hit, but I can't defend the new additions to the music.

What we know about Wicked: For Good was limited ahead of its release, but the movie's soundtrack list revealed that two new songs were added. Namely "The Girl in The Bubble" and "No Place Like Home", sung by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, respectively. Unfortunately, these new songs by the great Stephen Schwartz failed to measure up to the tracks originally featured in the Broadway musical. Let's break it all down.

Wicked: For Good's New Songs And Other Additions Couldn't Compare To The Originals

Splitting Wicked into two movies sounded like a risk at first, but I fully co-sign this decision. This choice made sure that none of the beloved songs from the musical were cut, and also allowed for the friendship between Glinda and Elphaba be even more fleshed out. Since Act 2 is usually shorter than the first, this also meant that For Good had the screentime to add two new tracks just for the movie (and presumably to try and get Best Original Song nominations during Awards Season).

Unfortunately, the new songs simply didn't have the same ear worm quality as their predecessors. In fact, I was shocked by how non-melodic these tracks were, especially compared to the no-skips nature of the Original Broadway Cast Recording. And while "The Girl In The Bubble" helped the audience get into Glinda's POV, we already had that moment in "Thank Goodness."

I saw For Good in a private screening filled with theater kids, so in theory we would have been the ideal audience to enjoy Schwartz' two new songs. But it was a pretty clear consensus that the two new additions weren't up to snuff with the rest of Wicked's beloved score.

It wasn't just the two new songs that got this reaction, though. There were new introductions added to both "Wonderful" and "The Wicked Witch of The East" that were similarly non-melodic. The latter was particularly bothersome for me, since the movie is the first time Nessa's Act 2 feature was given a proper recording. While I wouldn't have mind if lyrics were changed to make the song less ableist, the new intro felt out of place.

It's important that "The Wicked Witch Of The East"'s melody is introduced early on, but that didn't happen. What's more, another section of the underrated track ended up being spoken by actress Marissa Bode. So once again I felt like the song I love so much didn't get its fair shake.

Wicked: For Good is in theaters now as part of the 2025 movie release list, complete with its new music. We'll just have to wait and see if audiences agree or disagree with my take.

Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo has been keeping busy lately, as she and Ariana Grande have been promoting the pair of Wicked films for basically two years straight. Plenty of viral moments have come as a result, including a recent meme of Erivo that's been circulating over the last few weeks. And she finally explained the full context behind the GIF that's been seen non-stop on social media outlets like Twitter.

While it remains to be seen if Wicked: For Good becomes a musical that wins Best Picture, the promotional tour for Jon M. Chu's book-to-screen adaptation is the gift that keeps giving. Erivo recently got turned into a meme thanks to a viral fan interaction, and while appearing on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, she offered some much-needed context. In the actress/singer's words:

Talk about a bummer. Cyntha Erivo brought some wild fashion when promoting the pair of Wicked movies, including the hat that she wore to the London premiere last year. That garment, unfortunately, went missing... at least for a while.

Because a year later, Erivo was once again promoting Wicked in Europe when an unbelievable fan interaction happened and then promptly got turned into a meme. The Oscar-nominated actress spoke to Jimmy Fallon about what prompted her now-viral reaction, saying:

That surprise is what made Cynthia Erivo have such a huge reaction, which was recorded and promptly went viral online. The GIF is now being used regularly as a reaction to news on Twitter, thanks to just how animated she was at the time. You can see the meme below:

Erivo has had plenty of viral moments while promoting the Wicked movies, including the infamous holding space interview. The above GIF is just the latest example, but I guess any press is good press.

So how did the story end? The Harriet actress shared that she did get that lost hat back... at a price. As she shared on The Tonight Show:

This fan had some chutzpah to ask Erivo for a quid pro quo, but it seems like the actress actually respected that hustle. She helped get the fan into the premiere in London, and was finally able to procure her long-lost accessory. Talk about a journey.

Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21st as part of the 2025 movie schedule. We'll just have to wait and see if any more meme-worthy moments happen from Cynthia Erivo before her time as Elphaba comes to an end.

A bunch of movie musicals won Best Picture over the years, and this year brings another contender with Wicked: For Good. The first movie (which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription) was a big hit, and the story will conclude with Jon M. Chu's highly anticipated sequel. The movie stars Tony-winning actress Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, although she recently explained why she originally didn't think she'd ever play the Wicked Witch of the West.

What we know about Wicked: For Good is about to expand since its just days away from its wide release. Anticipation is sky high, especially after Wicked's record-breaking performance in theaters. In her new book Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They’re Too Much (via Us Weekly) Erivo shared her reaction to seeing the Broadway musical on stage for the first time, writing:

As someone who has seen Wicked on Broadway a number of times, I can concur. Many of us grew up listening to the Cast Recording, but being able to see the blockbuster musical in the flesh is a magical experience (no pun intended). It certainly sounds like the Harriet actress had a significant experience seeing it live.

While Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo would lead the Wicked cast for the movies, the latter actress originally didn't see the role for herself. Namely because no Black actresses had ever played Elphaba full time on Broadway. As she explained:

It's almost hard to believe it, but Wicked didn't feature a Black actress playing Elphaba full-time until Lencia Kebede took on the role in March of 2025. Until then the Broadway company had largely featured white actors in the role, although some standbys and understudies of color covered the role. And it's for this reason that Cynthia Erivo didn't originally envision herself as the show's protagonist.

The Broadway company has been taking some major steps forward regarding inclusion in the past few years. The first Black Glinda Brittney Johnson debuted back in 2022, and the show also recently featured trans actress Alexandra Billings as Madame Morrible. What's more, Nessarose was played by a real-life wheelchair user for the first time on stage when Jenna Bainbridge debuted earlier this year.

Despite her original feelings, it's clear now that Erivo was a perfect choice to play Elphaba on the big screen. Between her incredible voice, emotional vulnerability, and impressive flying work, it's hard to imagine anyone else starring in Jon M. Chu's pair of movies. And it seems like her role has inspired the Broadway company to expand its view on casting.

Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21st as part of the 2025 movie release list.

The moment we’ve all been waiting a year for has arrived — the second half of Jon M. Chu’s Wicked adaptation is hitting the 2025 movie calendar. Wicked: For Good — or, as the director calls it, “the most compelling side of the story” — depicts Act II of the Broadway production and hits theaters on November 21. The first movie broke box office records and earned more than $700 million worldwide, so will Chu stick the landing?

Critics have seen Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo come together as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West for the grand finale, and according to CinemaBlend's review of Wicked: For Good, audiences can expect more stunning visuals, remarkable performances and beautiful music. For our own Riley Utley, the darker second act doesn't outshine the first, but she still rates it 4 stars out of 5, writing:

Deadline’s Pete Hammond, meanwhile, thinks Wicked: For Good soars even higher than the first, which is a pretty big ask, considering how masterful the first movie was. Hammond says:

David Gordon of TheaterMania agrees that the lead actresses are at their best, particularly Cynthia Erivo, whose magnetism radiates off of the screen with musical numbers that feel like a thrill ride. Expanding the story of the theater production's hourlong second act into a full feature gives the story room to breathe, with certain plots deepened and intensified. The critic says:

The previous critic couldn’t take his eyes off of Cynthia Erivo, but for THR’s David Rooney, Ariana Grande steals the show as she brings “luminous life” to Glinda. Wicked has historically favored Elphaba’s complex story of persecution, but For Good elevates Glinda’s story to a level playing field without significantly changing the well-known narrative. Rooney says fans will “rejoicify”:

Bilge Ebiri of Vulture says Wicked: For Good is notably darker than its predecessor, which is a good thing. It’s also more focused and more human, bringing the full movie to a surprisingly satisfying conclusion that left audience members in tears. The critic writes:

For some critics, however, not even Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s powerhouse performances could completely overshadow the supposed misstep of making us wait a year for this conclusion.

Kate Erbland of IndieWire gives the movie a B-, saying that too much time has passed to remember important plot points and character machinations without a rewatch of Wicked: Part I. However, we couldn’t ask for more from the leading duo, either in terms of personifying their characters or their singing. The critic continues:

It sounds like fans of the first movie are in for more thrills in this story’s emotional conclusion. Regardless of whether a year was too long to wait, at least that wait is over, as Wicked: For Good hits theaters on Friday, November 21. If you do need a refresher before heading out, Wicked: Part I is available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Wicked: For Good had a tough act to follow, as it comes on the heels of the widely well-received Wicked. The bar is high, and the stakes are set for the epic conclusion of the Broadway musical adaptation, and in a lot of ways, it meets them. However, since I have always been a bigger fan of Act 1 than Act 2, I was left with complex feelings about the highly anticipated sequel.

In Wicked: For Good, quite a bit of time has passed since the events of Wicked. Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is widely seen as a true wicked witch, Glinda (Ariana Grande) works with Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh) and the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) now, and the political climate in Oz has gotten scary, as laws against animals have been put in place.

Erivo’s witch is determined to save her home from this terrible mess, though things get complicated when it comes to her friendship with Glinda. From there, For Good asks audiences to ride with these women as they come to terms with what they want their world to look like and what they can do to save it.

Overall, much like Wicked, this film directed by Jon M. Chu feels like a technical masterclass that is full of stunning visuals, remarkable performances and beautiful music. For me personally, however, it didn’t change me for good like the first part did.

Ariana Grande absolutely steals the show with her nuanced portrayal of Glinda.

Ariana Grande has a tight rope to walk in Wicked: For Good. As we see during the final moments of the first movie, Glinda is torn between her best friend and a world she’s always dreamed of – where she is the beloved witch. That struggle continues in the sequel, and the actress playing the “good” character portrays it beautifully.

When she sings “Thank Goodness,” her vocals are not just gorgeous, they’re also layered as Glinda tries to put on a mask for Oz that makes it seem like she believes something she’s not 100% sure about. And that mask proves to be a vital part of her arc.

Meanwhile, she is also the source of some of the movie's biggest laughs. There’s a fight between Glinda and Elphaba that, while serious, is very funny because of physical comedy chops demonstrated by the actress.

While Elphaba’s motivations are pure and clear, Glinda’s journey is grey (despite all the pink). Grande plays it with an impressive amount of nuance that makes it so her character is never really a villain; she’s simply struggling to understand her place in this situation and is trying to figure out the right thing to do.

The cast brings depth and darkness to this story in a way that helps distinguish it from Part 1.

Wicked: For Good takes a notably dark turn, and the cast brings their A-game when it comes to the drama.

Cynthia Erivo is particularly impressive in this capacity, as she plays out Elphaba’s struggle to save Oz in a powerful and angry way that also features a light and hope that is admirable. Her commanding performance of “No Good Deed” comes to mind here. The witch’s breaking point blew me away, as it emotionally communicates her struggle to do the right thing while the whole world thinks she’s trying to destroy it.

Meanwhile, Marissa Bode, Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater all bring darker sides to Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq, respectively, that shine a bright light on how their characters are impacted by the events of the first film.

With Bailey's return as Fiyero specifically, there’s an angst that is reminiscent of his work as Anthony Bridgerton on Bridgerton – which I love. In For Good, the happy-go-lucky prince gets angry, comes to terms with the darkness around him, and works hard to set things right. It’s a beautiful and revealing journey, and it helps Fiyero grow as a character exponentially.

Bode and Slater's performances also come with surprising anger that flooded me. Both Nessa and Boq have their own reasons for being filled with fury, and the actors bring that to life in a visceral way, which, in turn, helps viewers understand just how far things have fallen in Oz.

Paul Tazewell’s costumes shine brightly in this dark tale.

When the credits rolled at my screening, and costume designer Paul Tazewell’s name appeared, the woman in front of me applauded, and that was the correct reaction.

He designed the costumes for both movies by Jon M. Chu, and somehow, I think Tazewell tops himself with For Good. That’s saying a lot, too, because he rightfully won an Oscar for his work on Wicked, and I feel like it could easily happen again here.

When Glinda appears on screen in her blue and pink dress, my jaw dropped. The way it sparkles in the darkness of this film is magnificent, and it helps highlight Grande’s beautiful performance.

Likewise, the texture on Elphaba’s dresses is also beyond impressive. The layers and patterns Tazewell uses on her looks help them be so much more than just your typical black witch’s costume. Therefore, her clothes help highlight and emphasize the complex story of the Wicked Witch of the West.

The costume designer's work in general also helps immerse us in Oz. From the Munchkins' outfits to the gem tones of the Emerald City, these costumes bring distinct life and bright color to this world, and it makes the movie all the more immersive. It also helps signify how the characters have changed from the first story to the second, and I simply couldn’t be happier about it.

I have always preferred Act 1 to Act 2 of this musical, and that did impact my enjoyment of Wicked: For Good.

Here's the deal: I’m not a big ballad person, I love a big splashy dance number, and the songs from Act 1 – like “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life” and “Defying Gravity” – have been my favorites from Wicked for decades. So, I knew I probably wouldn’t like For Good as much as I liked Wicked – and I was right.

I remember watching the first of Jon M. Chu’s films and being moved to tears numerous times, and that just didn’t happen during For Good. It’s hard to explain why that’s the case; however, I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I’ve always been more emotionally invested in and attached to Act 1. For Good isn't the spectacle Wicked is, which I believe is intentional due to its darker story. But I didn't love that that was the case. I also think “Defying Gravity” is one of the most moving and profound endings I’ve seen, and while I appreciate the end of this second act, it doesn't sucker punch me in the heart like the first movie did.

I find this story about Elphaba and her battle with the Wizard a tad hit-or-miss, with some subplots and characters left underdeveloped and me less invested in the narrative. Combine that with my already big feelings about Act 1, and you get a recipe for mixed emotions. That being said, Wicked: For Good is still absolutely wonderful. The story is touching, it’s beautifully made, and it provides a fulfilling conclusion to this Ozian epic.

Wicked: For Good is one of the most anticipated titles on the 2025 movie calendar, and it finally hits the big screen at the end of this month. The first Wicked film was a record-breaking hit at the box office, and fans are hoping the second part recaptures the magic of it. However, some believe that the movie may have a hard time doing so, as it’s a popular opinion that the second half of the stage musical doesn’t have the same musical prowess as the first.

In a recent viral post on the internet, a fan foreshadowed a mass disappointment from moviegoers after Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good is released. While the first Wicked musical has sonic heavyweights like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity" to lift it up, many believe the second half doesn’t capture the same energy, and fans might be disappointed if they are expecting the same level of quality from the songs. @JohnDiLillo said:

Even though this isn’t exactly an “unheard of” opinion, this tweet still received some backlash from musical theater fans who completely disagreed that the second half of Wicked falls short. @Bobbery22418463 pointed out that the second part has a lot of great Wicked songs that are emotionally impactful, saying:

@i_heartmisandry defended Act 2 as well, claiming they actually think it’s better than the first act when it comes to musical numbers.

Fans, like @glindaforg00d, also pointed out that, along with the already great Act 2 songs from the original musical, there are also two new songs in Wicked: For Good that will lift it up even more:

While Act 2 certainly has its fans, a lot of people still agreed with the original user about some of the weak spots. @Alex172005_ also acknowledged how front-loaded the show is, and said it will be interesting to see how this translates on screen and how the movie is received. They said:

Another user also agreed with the poster, noting “For Good” is a bright spot, which the creative team seems to know, considering they leaned into the “For Good” title. @froggy_yeojin wrote:

Mostly, people half agreed. While they acknowledged there were some strong numbers in the second act that often go overlooked, it still can’t quite live up to the first act’s strength. @ScottLeis87 summed up this idea, saying:

No matter where you stand, we will all have to wait and see what happens when Wicked: For Good is officially available to the public. Maybe the storyline, strong performances, and new musical numbers will lift up the Wicked finale, and fans will be just as stupefied as they were leaving the theater after the first part. Or perhaps Wicked will fail to stick the landing and will always be remembered for its magical first act. There’s a lot at stake here, but I’m rooting for it to deliver.

You can see Wicked: For Good when it hits theaters on November 21, 2025. Fans who seek to revisit the first Wicked film ahead of the sequel can do so now with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Wicked fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the upcoming Wicked: For Good movie, and part of the charm of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s tour is the pink and green and black juxtaposition the two have pulled off over the course of two movies. If you watched NBC’s lovely live show Wicked: One Wonderful Night, it’s hard to see how the two could possibly top themselves when it comes to fashion. However, Ariana Grande just did it. I’m calling it now: this is the dress we’ll be talking about for years.

I love a good princess ballgown. When Ariana Grande is not paying tribute to the OG Wizard of Oz, she’s actually been wearing full gowns a lot. Think structural Glinda-inspired Schiaparelli looks and more. The volume of these dresses feels perfect for the movie, but the one she wore this weekend was both more understated than some of the other dresses she’s rocked, while still wearing beautifully with its ombre effect and pretty train.

During the One Wonderful Night special, Grande busted out another pink bubblegum concoction I thought was charming, and nodded at the look we’ll probably most remember from Wicked’s big screen run. Yes, I’m talking about the pink, frothy concoction that took 225 hours to get just right. That dress looks gorgeous on the big screen, and for the small screen event, she recently wore another over-the-top custom design from Robert Wun with butterflies that really popped onscreen.

Yet, it’s this Givenchy ombre gown worn in Paris with its feminine detailing that I don’t think I’ll ever stop thinking about.

The dress even had Grande’s own mom emotional, as a video of her seeing her mom watching from a balcony went viral shortly after dropping. In it, Joan Grande is seen remarking, “You’re making me cry.” The Wicked cast was in Paris for the latest event, so it’s no surprise they would have gone hard with fashion, and Cynthia Erivo also really went hard with the method dressing trend with a cool, Elphaba-inspired hat.

We have a few weeks before Wicked: For Good finally hits the 2025 movie release schedule on November 21. I fully expect both of the leading ladies to keep pulling out cool and memorable outfits, but we may have peaked when it comes to the celebrity fashion looks from the cast this weekend, and I'm OK with that.

Wicked: For Good is just two weeks away on the 2025 movie calendar, which means we’re in for all sorts of press tour looks from Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and the rest of the cast. But, there’s one major change you’ll notice for Grande. The multi-hypenate recently dyed her hair brown for the first time in about three years, and she just commented on how it will tie into her upcoming red carpet looks.

When Grande and Erivo sat down with Entertainment Tonight to talk about the Wicked sequel, the Glinda actress spoke about how being a brunette changes her looks. In her words:

While last year’s press looks might have blurred the lines between Grande and her Ozian character, this time she can be herself more, mixed with some fun nods to the beloved musical. Now, Ariana Grande has stepped out a few times to promote Wicked: For Good, and we’ve already caught some differences this time around. For example, her first press look was totally unexpected, given that the actress actually wore a black dress, and Glinda would never!

This week, Grande has been all over and wearing some gorgeous fits. Check out this hot pink ball gown that’s giving Glinda, but also Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes… ironic, right?

After Wicked, Grande has a few other things lined up that will also help her shed her Glinda persona. She’s going to be in Focker-In-Law with Ben Stiller, and she’s going on her Eternal Sunshine tour over the summer of 2026 from June to September.

When you think about it, it’s actually rather wild to think that soon Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo won’t be promoting Wicked anymore. The pair were announced as the leads of it four years ago, and they went to work on the movies in the summer of 2022 and concluded production in early 2024. Since then, the Wicked cast have been everywhere promoting the movies’ releases, including a recent stage special for NBC.

As we look forward to more premieres and press tour events for Wicked: For Good, we know that Law Roach is working with Grande on her array of looks. The stylist known for method dressing Zendaya for her press tours said, “There’s a mood board” for all the gowns and such she’ll be wearing, and we can’t wait to see her slay them all. Knowing that Grande and Erivo will perhaps take new approaches to their press tour looks, who knows what they’ll wear!

Wicked: For Good is coming to theaters on Friday, November 21.

A number of movie musicals have won Best Picture over the years, and another contender might have that honor this year thanks to Jon M. Chu's Wicked: For Good. The highly anticipated sequel will hit theaters later this month, and recently got a major promotion thanks to the event Wicked: One Wonderful Night (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). And now we know more about how Cynthia Erivo defied expectations (and gravity) when belting out the final number while flying through the air on wires.

What we know about Wicked: For Good is limited, but we're getting more glimpses into the sequel as it gets closer to theaters. Fans will be treated to two new songs on the soundtrack, but the franchise's most beloved song is "Defying Gravity." Ben Winston executive produced One Wonderful Night and spoke to Golden Derby about the conversation that went into Erivo taking flight. As he told it:

Perhaps this shouldn't have been so surprising. Cynthia Erivo did insane wire work filming Wicked, which has looked stunning onscreen. By comparison, she simply had to be lifted into the air for One Wonderful Night, and travel around the stage while being upright. She's no stranger to the intense physical work required, so why wouldn't she be open to flexing those muscles for the Wicked event?

So how did this meeting go down? Winston went on to share how the Tony-winning star of the stage and screen responded to the suggestion of flying for Wicked: One Wonderful Night. Erivo had some concerns, as he put it:

It sounds like Winston and Erivo had very different perspectives on the risks of this move, based upon their respective jobs on the Wicked franchise. While the Pinocchio actress wants to make sure she gave a good vocal performance, the exec was nervous about the star of his movie getting injured.

In the end Cynthia Erivo went for it, and shocked audiences when soaring into the sky while singing "Defying Gravity" on One Wonderful Night. It's one of many memorable moments of the night, and Ben Winston shared the feeling of seeing her in the air for the first time. In his words:

The marketing for Wicked: For Good is in full effect, and this type of event and spectacle should hopefully result folks going to see the sequel in theaters. The first Wicked movie broke box offie records, and also got nominated for some Oscars. The early buzz for the sequel has ben positive, and fans are eager to see the story play out with adult versions of characters like Glinda and Elphaba.

Wicked: One Wonderful Night is streaming now on Peacock and For Good will hit theaters November 21st as part of the 2025 movie release list. And smart money says we'll see plenty of epic flying scenes for Cynthia Erivo in the highly anticipated sequel.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed about celebrity fashion over the last several years is how playful fashion has gotten. We’ve seen Sydney Sweeney rock a butt necklace. We’ve seen Jenna Ortega wear giant jewels as a top for the Emmys. And Kim Kardashian, of course, has tried all kinds of outfits that look like they are defying gravity. In Cynthia Erivo’s latest case, however, gravity is a girl’s best friend.

Erivo was seen on the red carpet this week promoting the Wicked: For Good sequel, and her outfit was as epic as this movie will hopefully be. Technically it was a two-piece, not a dress, with a full-bodied skirt and a top that is difficult to describe. The closest I’m getting to it is that she’s wearing a sort of high-fashion version of a dickey, you know, those mock turtlenecks teachers used to wear to jazz up school sweatshirts.?

It’s also difficult to understand how it stays in place, but either the material is just weighted or there has to be some tape. Either way, I really meant it when I made that gravity comment.

The reason I'm guessing tape is a factor is because the shirt is not even attached in seemingly any way from front to back. A side glance at Erivo’s fit shows how it drapes on her body, and it’s a good thing the actress is really lithe, because I’m not sure this is a look a fuller figured celebrity could pull off. (Also sidebar: I’m loving the jewels, too. All around A+.)

The actress later posted about the look, confirming the outfit came from famed designer Jean Paul Gaultier and the accessories were from David Webb Jewels.

Normally, my favorite part of any Wicked premiere is seeing how Ariana Grande juxtaposes her look against Cynthia Erivo’s, but sadly this was not an option in Brazil. The Glinda actress said her flight was canceled over maintenance issues, and that even when Universal looked into booking her a private plane “a permit” was required that made it unfeasible. New Sexiest Man Alive Jonathan Bailey was present.

It was Cynthia that was the stand out that night, and what a stunning look she brought to the table. Honestly, I’m kind of loving she had one night to really make her dark outfit shine without Grande’s pink-hued takes (or that one time she nodded at The Wizard of Oz). I know some fans probably missed the other actress, but this happy accident did lead to a cool red carpet moment, so I’ll take it.

We’ve reached the point on the 2025 movie schedule where it’s time to return to Oz. The release of Wicked: For Good is right around the corner, and in preparation for that, I’m considering just how different this movie will be from last year’s Wicked. That’s because Act II of this musical takes a dark turn, and director Jon M. Chu opened up about why he thinks this part of the story is “the most compelling.”

When we met Elphaba and Glinda at Shiz in Wicked, the world was bright and bubbly. And for the most part, the first movie – which you can stream with a Peacock subscription – maintains that tone. However, in the final moments, as “Defying Gravity” plays, Cynthia Erivo’s witch leaves Ariana Grande’s Glinda and the characters who are going after her behind, leaving us on a cliffhanger that promises to be intense and dark.

Chu addressed what’s to come after that during an interview with SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend, and noted that he loves this upcoming act of the musical, saying:

There’s no doubt, Act II of Wicked is far more mature than Act I. Time has passed between the two parts, and when we return, Elphaba and Glinda have grown up and are in very different places. As the director explained, we’re not in school anymore:

While Wicked was about the formation of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship, For Good will address how their relationship is impacted by the evil that is overtaking their world. It will be especially challenging as Glinda works with Madame Morrible and the bad side, if you will, while Elphaba figures out her next move.

In the trailers for Wicked: For Good, you can see all of that on display, and it’s clear that what we’re about to get will be darker, more intense and more emotional than Wicked. All of that really excited Jon M. Chu, too, as he explained:

Well, I can’t wait to see all this play out on screen. I desperately hope the people of Oz are able to overcome their biases and see the issues in their land that are hurting so many of them, especially the animals.

On top of the important lessons For Good holds, it will also continue this compelling story of friendship between Glinda and Elphaba, which I’m dying to see. Oh, and we’ll get the strongest Wizard of Oz connections yet, as we know Dorothy will appear (though we won’t see her face) alongside Colman Domingo’s Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man.

So, like Jon M. Chu, I’ve found a bunch of reasons to be stoked for Wicked: For Good. And his comments about why he thinks it’s the most compelling part certainly help that enthusiasm, too. Now, to see exactly what he’s talking about, you can catch the highly anticipated second act of Wicked in theaters starting November 21.

Jonathan Bailey is People’s Sexiest Man Alive this year, and the ton is rejoicing. Amid his incredible run on the 2025 movie schedule, the actor, who starred in Jurassic World: Rebirth earlier this year and is about to release Wicked: For Good, was given this iconic title. Now, the cast of Wicked and more are reacting to this thrillifying news. However, it’s Netflix’s one-word response about the Bridgerton star that I can't get over.

The Cast Of Wicked And More Reacted To Jonathan Bailey Being The Sexiest Man Alive

Right as the news of Bailey’s title was announced, the Wicked cast and director took to Instagram to celebrate. In the sweetest video, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode and Jon M. Chu all praised the Fiyero actor while wearing T-shirts or sweaters with his sexy photos on them. Take a look:

I got a particularly good laugh out of Goldblum’s comment, as he called Bailey “the sexiest man not only on this planet, but in the solar system, in the universe, in any multiverse.” I 100% agree with him, too, and many others did as well, especially when they saw his People cover:

In the comments of the cover post, many celebs wrote about how thrilled they were for Bailey. This included Erivo and some of his other co-stars, like Matt Bomer, whom he led the show Fellow Travelers with:

• YEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!! Now the world knows what I’ve known all along 😏 I LOVE YOU! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚-Cynthia Erivo
• 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌❤️❤️❤️ -Matt Bomer
• That’s 👏 our 👏 Fiyero! 👏 -Wicked Movie
• 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 -Blakely Neiman Thornton
• Yes yes YES -Michelle Visage
• Yes. ❤️ -Charithra Chandran

As you can see, lots of Bailey’s co-stars and many other performers and fans of his had brilliant reactions to this news. However, I’d like to emphasize that last comment from Charithra Chandran, who played Edwina Sharma on Bridgerton. That's because we must address how Netflix and the show that helped catapult this fine actor into stardom reacted to the news.

Netflix Shared A One-Word Reaction About The Bridgerton Star Earning This Title

Now, many have been introduced to Jonathan Bailey over the last few years as he’s danced through life on the big screen and rocked the red carpet in his “sluttly little glasses.” However, those of us with a Netflix subscription have known how swoon-worthy he is for a lot longer.

The streamer made that clear too, as it posted this hilarious one-word reaction to news of the Anthony Bridgerton actor’s newest title:

I know I’m not the only Bridgerton fan who has been swooning over Kate and Anthony’s story since 2022. Seriously, Jonathan Bailey playing the viscount introduced so many of us to him, and ever since then, the yearning hasn’t stopped.

So, yeah, as Netflix said, “obviously,” he's the Sexiest Man Alive. And I loved that they used that iconic photo of him getting out of the water in Season 2 to further prove that point.

Along with this title being fun and Netflix’s cheeky response being perfect, it was also a good reminder that Jonathan Bailey is coming back to Bridgerton to help tell Benedict’s story in Season 4.

However, before he does that, he has a new title to claim and a prince to play. Yep, in just a few weeks, the Sexiest Man Alive will return to Oz as his heartthrob of a prince as Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21.

Cynthia Erivo has always been one to watch in the world of celebrity fashion, from her method dressing with Ariana Grande during the Wicked press tour to her wildly embellished nails. So to say that all eyes were on her at a recent event in Los Angeles wouldn’t be all that surprising — except that I mean that literally. The actress dropped jaws in a statement Schiaparelli gown that was giving as many stares as it was getting.

Ariana Grande kicked off the press tour for Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good — coming to the 2025 movie calendar this month — with an unexpected nod to The Wizard of Oz. However, it was Cynthia Erivo’s look at the LACMA Art + Film Gala on Saturday that was truly eye-opening:

Wow, Cynthia Erivo is a vision in this piece, standing in front of the dramatic LACMA Urban Lights. The dress is part of Schiaparelli’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection, according to Harper’s Bazaar, designed by Daniel Roseberry. Pearls and crystals frame hundreds of 3D eyeballs, giving the dress a haunting feel that makes me wonder if she was trying to squeeze one last look out of Halloween.

The sides of the bodice featured winged panels, from which sheer tulle fell down Cynthia Erivo’s back, pooling at her feet. Speaking of her feet, the actress wore sky-high silver Christian Louboutin heels and accessorized with a metallic silver clutch. Her signature nails were decorated with purple embellishments, and her jewelry included earrings from David Yurman.

Schiaparelli — a favorite of the Kardashian-Jenner family — is known for its optical illusions. The fashion house was responsible for Kylie Jenner’s gown that featured a huge lion’s head, as well as Emily Blunt’s floating shoulders at the 2024 Oscars.

Jennifer Lopez is also a big fan, as she’s sported a coat of living roses at the Paris Schiaparelli show last January and the sheer 2024 Met Gala gown that reportedly took the fashion house 800 hours to make.

Even Cynthia Erivo’s Wicked co-star Ariana Grande has gotten in on the Schiaparelli fun, sporting a pink dress to this year’s Academy Awards that seemed inspired by Glinda’s bubble dress in the movie. I can’t wait to see what outfits the leading duo pull out to promote the second half of the book-to-screen adaptation.

It’s much more than the fashion that Cynthia Erivo has had going on this year. In addition to the upcoming release of a little old movie you might have heard of, Wicked: For Good, the actress has hosted the Tony Awards, performed at World Pride and released the studio album I Forgive You. Oh, and did I mention that all happened in just one week?

We’re still a few weeks away from seeing the conclusion of Elphaba and Glinda’s story on the big screen but, thankfully, we don’t have to wait that long to start getting hyped up. A two-hour TV special Wicked: One Wonderful Night will air at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, November 6, on NBC and streaming the next day with a Peacock subscription. CinemaBlend’s own Rachel Rosenfeld has seen an early screening and she’s got three Glindelicious reasons fans should tune in.

If you want to relive the magic of the first movie, Wicked can be streamed with a Prime Video subscription, and you can catch Wicked: For Good in theaters starting Friday, November 21.

In Wicked, we got to see Glinda and Elphaba's friendship flourish, and in this next movie, we'll see how they change each other "For Good." However, right now, we're amping up for another Wicked press tour, and stories from the first film's press tour are circulating too. This includes a tale from an influencer about how someone spilled a drink on her, and while that is not thrillifying at all, the way Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo came to her rescue was.

Digital content creator Tricia Mpisi spoke on her TikTok about being one of the lucky African influencers to attend the European premiere of Wicked last year. But, she recalled a scary incident that occurred during a group photo when someone dressed in a Wicked Witch costume spilled their champagne on her:

No wonder she screamed when the drink spilled on her! You’d never anticipate an everyday group photo turning into burning alcohol getting in your eyes. I’d be terrified. However, luckily, the stars of Wicked were there to help her.

One memorable quality we’ll see in the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation is the two witches discovering what the true definition of being good is. Well, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande certainly proved their goodness in the next part of Tricia Mpisi’s crazy story, as she recalled:

The influencer continued to talk about how after a chair was pulled for her, Erivo, Ariana Grande, and everyone else rushed to Mpisi’s rescue to wipe the champagne off her face. Despite "struggling to open my eyes," the digital content creator said she felt comfort in hearing the voices of Erivo and Grande. In fact, the former Nickelodeon star even had a wild idea, as the TikToker recalled:

That really was incredibly sweet for Ariana Grande to offer something like that. And the fact that the two Wicked stars never left her side until all of the champagne was wiped off makes it even better. That's heroism at its finest.

Mpisi made sure to express to TikTokers how much that moment meant to her, explaining that in her home country of South Africa, people don’t usually take the time to help those in trouble. So, the fact that the two actresses turned what she described as an embarrassing moment into “a memorable human moment” is very touching.

While we know that Wicked: For Good will show different forms of heroism through Glinda and Elphaba, the good nature of the actresses portraying them rings true in real life. After wiping spilled champagne off the eyes of a TikTok influencer, she’s made sure to convey gratitude to the two actresses helping her feel “warm and fuzzy and cared for” by the end of the night. It’s a reminder that a special kind of magic can exist outside the realm of movies in the most unexpected ways.

If you’re as excited as Tricia Mpisi to watch Wicked: For Good in theaters, you’ll have your chance very soon as the 2025 movie release will hit theaters on November 21st. You can also relive the magic of the movie that started it all with a Peacock subscription.

Spoilers Ahead for NBC’s Wicked: One Wonderful Night

The highly anticipated return to Oz is nearly upon us! Wicked: For Good is premiering on the upcoming 2025 movie schedule in less than one short month, but if you are anything like me, that is still too long to wait. Fortunately, NBC is releasing a splendiferous evening with the stars, including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in an upcoming television special, Wicked: One Wonderful Night.

I have been a fan of the musical since I was a little kid. I belted out “Defying Gravity”, “No Good Deed,” and “For Good” with the OG ‘evil and witchy’ Elphaba, Idina Menzel, until my CD had scratches and would skip so much that “Dancing Through Life” became ‘Dan Through If’.

I never got to see Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenoweth perform the songs that got me through some very awkward years, but my younger self would be so jealous of me now. I just watched the next generation of musical theatre icons bring some of these songs to life — and the best part is, you get to see it too.

I ‘Couldn’t Be Happier’ To Hear Grande Debut Her Version Of “Thank Goodness”

All I can say is, thank goodness Grande is Glinda. After seeing her float down in a magic bubble and hit one of the highest, most perfectly pitched notes I’ve ever heard in the first film (which, spoiler alert, she does again in this special), it’s still shocking to me that she had to sing four songs just to audition for the role. She’s been worthy of it from day one.

If you were not already convinced that Grande was born to be Glinda the Good, when you hear her sing “Thank Goodness,” any remaining doubts will melt away. It’s not just that she can sing it, of course, she can; it's that she drops right into the character, and you go on the journey with Glinda from the first syllable.

Grande is not the only perfectly cast character, though. There has never been a better match than Jonathan Bailey and Fiyero.

There Is Only One Jonathan Bailey, But It’s Always Good To Have An Understudy - Or 3

Unfortunately, Jonathan Bailey is a very busy man. During Wicked: Part I, he was filming two other projects, and I assume things have not slowed down for this leading man. We are all going to have to wait a little longer for our next Bailey as Fiyero fix, as he does not make an appearance in this special, but don’t worry, because the comedy delivered by Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode is as funny as Bailey is charming.

They may not be pitch perfect, but they sell the hell out of the number and are a highlight of the evening. However, there is a new star on the rise that will steal the show and your hearts all at the same time.

“Popular” is about to become even more popular than before.

A Wicked special is nothing without “Popular”. From the first time I heard Grande sing it in the original trailer, I was in. However, this rendition of the song has a whole new twist. I do not want to give too much away on this particular point, but let’s just say that Grande sings this to someone other than Erivo, and she definitely made them popular.

This is only a taste of the magic packed into this two-hour event. I haven’t even mentioned Erivo’s flying riff—yes, that one—or the new take on the classic ‘hair toss’. Plus, they’re giving us a sneak peek at the brand-new songs, which are so top secret they didn’t even let us hear them that night.

All I can say is that after seeing the taping of this special, I’ve truly been changed for the better. Don’t miss this wonderful night when it airs Thursday, November 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. But if you do, you can still catch it streaming on Peacock starting November 7. I do believe you will be changed “For Good.”

One of the most anticipated 2025 movies is Wicked: For Good, and its release is just two months away. Earlier this week, the titles for the film's two, new original songs were officially announced, with OG composer Stephen Schwartz having written the songs. Now, lead actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are teasing their respective songs and experiences with them.

Cynthia Erivo Talks Why Her New Wicked Song Had To Be ‘Special’

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film, recently spoke to Empire about one of the new songs “No Place Like Home”, which is set to be the third music number in Wicked: For Good. It will apparently allow the Wicked Witch of the West as she expresses “her biggest feelings” as the new movie -- which is the second half of the overall story -- plays out. In Erivo’s words:

Honestly, the actress' rationale is totally understandable. “There’s no place like home” is obviously an already iconic set of words in the history of The Wizard of Oz. Dorothy Gale famously repeats that phrase after kicking her heels in order to return home to Kansas. I'm certainly curious about what “home” means to Elphaba, and how her new song will add to the beloved musical. Erivo also said this:

It sounds like it could be an “I want” song moment for Elphaba as she steps into her identity as an all-powerful Wicked Witch of the West, who is opposed to Oz and Emerald City. And, given Cynthia Erivo’s vocals, I have no doubt it will absolutely be a showstopper.

Ariana Grande Explains Why Glinda Is Deserving Of A New Song

Ariana Grande also has her own new solo song as well called “Girl In The Bubble” which seems to happen late in the film but before “For Good”, per the track listing order. During her own Empire interview, Grande explained that the song will serve as a “moment of reflection” for Glinda. As Grande put it:

Ariana Grande is a lifetime fan of Wicked, so it’s really affirming to hear her thoughts on the song, and how Glinda “deserves” it. Glinda does have a solo in the second half of the musical with the reprise of “I’m Not That Girl." However, that tune is more so focused on the love triangle between her, Fiyero and Elphaba.

Both “Girl In The Bubble” and “No Place Like Home” sound like they will deepen both Glinda and Elphaba's motivations, adding further depth to two already complex and endearing characters. Hopefully, to viewers will get to understand the two a bit better.

I, for one, am definitely even more intrigued after hearing Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's takes on the new songs. I’m also loving the decision to make two movies out of this adaptation more and more each day. Check out the Wicked: For Good trailer as we wait for the movie to come out on November 21.

Throughout the years a number of movie musicals have won Oscars for Best Picture. The genre is tried and true, with the recent addition of Jon M. Chu's Wicked being an Oscar-nominated sucess. The sequel For Good will be here next month, and the soundtrack list was recently revealed, including the titles of two new songs that'll debut. It also confirmed that another beloved song that was missing from the Broadway soundtrack is finally getting its first recording. Let's break it all down.

What fans know about Wicked: For Good depends on how much they like musical theater. Broadway fans know exactly what's going to happen in the sequel, and how it'll connect to The Wizard Of Oz. Except for the two new tracks, which have been revealed to be titled "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in The Bubble", meant to be sung by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande respectively. The announcement also confirmed that "The Wicked Witch of The East" is in the movie and soundtrack, marking the first time Nessa's big number is given a proper recording. Check it out below:

If you can hear anything beside this first tease of "Thank Goodness", you might also hear the sounds of Wicked fans out there collectively cheering. It's thrilling to get this tease about what the new tracks will be about, as well as the confirmation that "The Wicked Witch of The East" will finally get to be immortalized.

The upcoming introduction of "No Place Like Home" and "The Girl in the Bubble" will not only offer the chance for Wicked: For Good to get nominated for Best Original Song, they'll also offer new looks at the psyche of Elphaba and Glinda respectively. Splitting Wicked into two movies opened the door for more storytelling possibilities, and made sure that none of the original songs got left on the cutting room floor.

The first Wicked movie, which is streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription) showed its cast of characters at Shiz University, but For Good is expected to greatly expand its narrative. There's a time jump, allowing for each of them to greatly change. That includes Marisa Boden's Nessarose, who will get the chance to take center stage with her own song. It's been teased that this scene would be changed a bit from the stage version, and I can't wait to see how.

"The Wicked Witch of the East" has always been one of my favorite Wicked songs, perhaps for its elusiveness. Since it's not included on the Original Broadway Cast Recording, presumably due to its spoilery contents, fans had to watch grainy (and illegal) videos of the stage musical to watch Nessa and Boq's biggest solos in the show's second act. I'm so hyped to be able to listen to that particular track anytime I want once the For Good soundtrack is released.

Given Wicked's box office performance and various Awards Season nominations, all eyes are on if the sequel will be similarly successful. But since they were filmed at the same time, there is a ton of good will with moviegoers.

All will be revealed when Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21st as part of the 2025 movie release list. Until then I'll just have to re-listen to the first movie's soundtrack as I (not so) patiently wait for the sequel's.

Wicked transported audiences into another world with its spellbinding performances, emotionally impactful music and a fresh twist to the Land of Oz. But not everything about the magical world was CGI. There was actually a man who played Elphaba’s broom, and I can’t get over the cast of Wicked making sure to send love to “a true legend.”

Here I assumed that the broom in Wicked either flew with CGI or had a wire pulling it up. In reality, Jon M. Chu’s movie’s Instagram revealed “a true legend” behind the flying broomstick, and I never would have guessed:

A man in a blue spandex suit turned invisible was carrying Elphaba’s broom?! Imagine that for a dream role. You have admit that it’s more realistic-looking for a broom to be carried up compared to CGI or a wire having it “defy gravity.”

There’s nothing like the brilliant use of practical effects to remind audiences of other ways to create movie magic. Jon M. Chu made sure to share his love in his IG Story by giving us some insight into the man behind the broomstick’s movements:

Nice to meet you, Charlie. Although I do feel bad that the poor man couldn’t breathe under that costume. I feel claustrophobic just looking at the suit. But that’s all the more reason why you need to give Charlie his props. Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande sure did in their director’s post comments:

• Cynthia Erivo: 💚
• Ariana Grande: Charlie 🥹!

It’s nice to see Charlie getting a lot of love for risking oxygen while in his spandex suit. This hero may not be wearing a cape, but he created magic on set by assisting Elphaba with her flight.

One of the many reasons why Wicked was worthy of its award nominations was by not relying fully on green screen to create the magical world of Oz. There was so much built for the fantasy-musical flick, like growing 9 million tulips, a 16-ton train and the remarkable sets of Munchkin Land, Shiz University and the Emerald City.

Plus, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba green was also done without CGI. The British actress and her team came up with a custom shade of green makeup that wouldn’t look too much like face paint in close-ups. The whole process took two hours to put on and one hour to take off. Now that’s dedication. Elphaba’s makeup looked amazing and so natural that it could almost pass as a real skin tone. Just like the man behind Elphaba’s broomstick, the magic of Wicked lies in the details we don’t always see.

While Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande deserve applause for their work in Wicked, I can’t get over their praise for Charlie, the broomstick handler. For being willing to walk around in a spandex suit that you can hardly breathe in to make a broom fly, he’s earned every bit of recognition as the “unsung hero.”

See that broomstick defy gravity all over again with Part One on your Peacock subscription. You also need to see how the musical story ends with the 2025 movie release of Wicked: For Good, coming to theaters on November 21st.

This Pride Month, we continue to celebrate the representation of LGBTQ+ people in media here on CinemaBlend as the month itself was created as a way to commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Since the first Wicked: For Good trailer finally dropped during the first week of June, it’s a great time to talk about the lasting impact of the musical’s connection to the queer community.

From its roots in The Wizard of Oz to the coming release of Wicked: For Good this November, the cultural phenomenon has long found a deep connection with queer people. Let’s get into it, because it’s an important piece of its legacy.

The Wizard Of Oz Has Long Been Thought Of As Queer-Coded

You can’t really talk about Wicked without going way back in time and starting with The Wizard of Oz. Based on the Oz books from L. Frank Baum, one of the most iconic movies ever made by Hollywood is of course 1939’s The Wizard of Oz movie starring Judy Garland. It’s a classic-period to every fan of cinema, but it also holds a lot of significance to the queer community.

No, there’s not explicitly any LGBTQ+ characters in the musical fantasy, but there’s something about Dorothy leaving her black and white world to go “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” that does make it explicitly queer coded. When Dorothy arrives in the beautiful Technicolor world of Oz, she finds solace in a group of outsiders like herself coming together to protect her. The movie’s “found family” story has resonated with queer audiences for decades, especially before there were actual queer characters anywhere to be found in media. There’s also this camp quality to the movie that has long served as inspiration for the queer community, particularly through drag queen performances.

And these days The Wizard Of Oz is so intertwined with the LGBTQ+ community that it’s hard to even separate the two, such as the saying “friend of Dorothy” becoming a code gay men used to identify each other and themselves back in the day when many more were closeted. Or, there being speculation that The Wizard Of Oz in part inspired the Pride Flag being a rainbow as a reference to the film as well, per Queer Sites by David Higgs (via Google Books).

There’s also the piece that Judy Garland is hailed as a gay icon, too. LGBTQ+ scholar Nathaniel Frank said (via EW) because she “compared herself to a wind-up doll, manufactured by adults for their entertainment” and was “was never able to really be herself. And yet, when she performed, she exhibited this level of authentic emotion,” she developed such a prominent following of gay fans who could identify with her struggles, and came in droves to support her during her career.

The Wicked Book Makes The Romantic Undertones To Glinda And Elphaba’s Relationship Canon

With all that history in context, let’s move over to Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch (which became a series of four books). The novelist, who is gay himself, decided to explore the origin story of the Wicked Witch through his book series before it would become the hit musical a few years short of a decade later that we all know and love. After years of readers sensing some romantic tension between Elphaba and Glinda in the book, including through the characters sharing a kiss in one moment, Maguire said this to Them in 2024:

In the book itself, Elphaba and Glinda never get into an official relationship together, but there’s absolutely some romantic tension between the pair throughout in a way that could be seen as a romance for those who want to ship them, or a complex friendship for those who want to see it too. As Maguire shared in the above statement, he didn’t want to make a “declarative statement” about their relationship, and so he didn’t. This certainly carries over to the musical and the movie, though there is never a kiss in the musical from Stephen Schwartz.

Elphaba’s Arc Is A Queer Allegory, Too

When it comes to Wicked the book and musical, it’s also worth noting that aside from a hint of romance between its two main female characters, perhaps even greater is the queer allegory at the center of Wicked Witch’s arc. In both versions Elphaba, has to deal with the ramifications of being different (since she has green skin), and through her journey to become the Wicked Witch she accepts herself for who she is. Particularly through the song “Defying Gravity,” she finds power in being green, and chooses to lean into it rather than hide who she is. The song is thought of a gay anthem just like The Wizard Of Oz’s “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.

The Movies Feature Numerous Queer Actors

And when it comes to the cast of the Wicked movies, the production has stayed true to the queer history of the title by casting predominantly LGBTQ+ actors in many of the main roles. Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero). Marissa Bode (Nessarose), Bowen Yang (Pfannee) and Bronwyn James (ShenShen) are all queer actors.

So, there’s no doubt The Wizard of Oz and Wicked belong to the LGBTQ+ community, and have connected so deeply to the queer community for years. But perhaps what sets it apart from other more niche new LGBTQ+ movies is that the beauty of the Wonderful World of Oz is how it’s made to appeal to everyone. Whether you are a gay person who loves the Glinda/Elphaba relationship, or someone with no ties whatsoever to this context, it’s clearly been made for anyone to enjoy and feel connected, and will continue to for generations to come. We can’t wait for Wicked: For Good, which is part of the 2025 movie release calendar to hit theaters on November 21.

The Wicked: For Good release date is just five months away now, and I keep getting more excited to see the second act of the beloved musical realized on the big screen. (It’s seriously going to be tough for another one of the 2025 movie releases to top the feeling of seeing this!) But then director Jon M. Chu called out two songs to look forward to from Cynthia Erivo, and now I can barely contain my joy over the upcoming film.

When it comes to the Wicked musical, it’s true that the biggest hits are already behind us now that we’ve seen the first movie. We’ll never get to see “Popular” or “Defying Gravity” be performed for the first time by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo again. However, Chu is getting me hyped as he name-dropped two songs from For Good while chatting with Vanity Fair:

As someone who grew up memorizing every note of the original Broadway soundtrack for Wicked, there are so many songs I love, but man, is he right about “No Good Deed” being a banger. It’s one of the songs on the album that you don’t necessarily appreciate from the get-go, but once you fall in love with it, it’s impossible not to listen to it over and over.

Without giving too much away, it’s sung by Elphaba during a fit of rage, and she spends the song weighing goodness versus wickedness. The whole track starts with her belting out a note that I really need to hear Erivo’s version of.

The other song Chu called out was “As Long As You’re Mine.” It is quite a dark and spicy love song between Elphaba and Fiyero that kind of foils Glinda and Fiyero becoming infatuated with each other in the first act through the showstopping “Dancing Through Life” number.

When we left the characters at the end of the first Wicked movie, Elphaba had chosen a life of rebellion as a witch, while Glinda found a way in with Oz. We know that Glinda and Fiyero will get married early in For Good, but I’m so excited to see this love triangle continue to play out with the new movie. Check out the Wicked: For Good trailer below:

The trailer debuted in theaters for a special re-release of the first Wicked before dropping online as well. It features some of the “No Good Deed” early on when Elphaba's singing spells!

The second act of the Wicked production has fewer songs, eight as opposed to the first act’s eleven. However, we know original composer Stephen Schwartz has written two more to pack the movie with more music.

Plus, Chu said they are “necessary in this movie to help tell the story.” Oh, and that's all without mentioning the song the movie is named after, "For Good". I cry every time I listen to it, and I'm going to bawl when Cynthia and Ariana perform it. Yeah, I’m counting down the days until this movie comes out on November 21.

The wait is still on for more of the world of Wicked to return to theaters, unless you're one of the fans who attended a special re-release screening ahead of the Wicked: For Good trailer. Stars from the films have been in the spotlight outside of any sequel footage recently, however, with Cynthia Erivo ditching the witch hat and broomstick to host the 78th Tony Awards and Jeff Goldblum contributing to an Oz-themed episode of LEGO Masters without having to suit up as the not-so-wonderful Wizard.

While one of those things certainly was unlike the other in the 2025 TV schedule, both airing so soon after the first trailer for For Good debuted has me back on the Wicked train even with months to go before the sequel hits theaters.

Cynthia Erivo Leads The Tonys To Record Ratings

The 78th Annual Tony Awards aired on CBS (and was available streaming with a Paramount+ subscription) on Sunday, June 8. The reunion of the Hamilton cast had been hyped ahead of time, but I suspect that a big reason why the audience numbers are so great for the broadcast is because of Cynthia Erivo. A Tony winner herself as Best Leading Actress in the stage version of The Color Purple in 2016, the star is riding the high of recognition for her role as Elphaba in Wicked.

The June 8 broadcast reached the largest audience for The Tonys since all the way back in 2019, with a rise of 38% over last year. This makes it the most-watched broadcast of the ceremony since before Broadway temporarily shut down due to COVID in 2020. According to numbers from Nielsen Time Adjusted Live+SD Fast National Data (via CBS), the boost of 38% equals out to an average of 4.85 million viewers beating out last year's 3.53 million.

The 2025 event also reached the largest-ever live streaming audience on Paramount+ with a rise of 208% over last year. No, that's not a typo – 208%. Talk about making history! Cynthia Erivo may not have had to defy gravity on a broomstick a la Elphaba for The Tonys, but her hosting gig certainly smashed CBS records.

And seeing those numbers put me back in a Wicked mood, which prompted me to tune into Fox's LEGO Masters for the first time in a long time for a themed night of block-building action.

Jeff Goldblum On LEGO Masters

While I've been aware of LEGO Masters and its surprises over the years, I never tuned in regularly (or regularly built anything out of LEGO, for that matter) like one of my CinemaBlend colleagues. But when I saw that the Season 5 episode on June 9 would be Wicked-themed, I had to tune in.

And I wasn't expecting any big cameos from the Wicked cast for a one-off episode of a Fox summer show, to the point that I was wondering if LEGO Masters had gotten a really good Jeff Goldblum impersonator to record some audio. Instead, the Wizard himself popped up on screen with a message for the contestants and some comments toward host Will Arnett.

I'm sure it was prerecorded well in advance, but it was fun to see Jeff Goldblum in a video message for LEGO Masters. I wasn't really expecting any cast members to be promoting the movie when the sequel doesn't premiere until November, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that WIcked's night on LEGO Masters wasn't just about building blocks.

Has this turned me into a diehard fan of LEGO Masters who will be tuning in from week to week? Maybe not, but I'm glad I tuned in this week, and Jeff Goldblum guaranteed that I can keep riding the Wicked high that started last week with the For Good trailer and continued with Cynthia Erivo hosting The Tonys.

You'll be able to find the Wicked episode of LEGO Masters streaming with a Hulu subscription, and The 78th Tonys can be streamed on Paramount+ now. Wicked: For Good arrives in theaters on November 21, 2025 in the 2025 movie release schedule.

Cynthia Erivo has been in the acting game for a while, but she truly solidified herself as a household name through her performances as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s Wicked. Now, it seems she has plenty of momentum career-wise, and she's been quite busy as of late. Someone even just highlighted that Erivo is fresh off hosting The Tonys, performing at World Pride and debuting an album. And, of course, she also dropped the Wicked: For Good trailer just recently, too. With that, Erivo dropped a response after being called out for her accomplishments.

Fans continue to count down the days to the release of the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good amid the 2025 movie schedule. Cynthia Erivo has stayed busy. As mentioned, a fan called out the star’s wildly impressive and notable week, and the answer she provided makes her to-do list all the more impressive. In a video shared to Instagram by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Erivo used a highly recognizable Kim Kardashian audio clip to emphasize her commitment to her work:

Come on, that's just too perfect. The actress' workload is impressive enough, but I love that she summed it up with that quote from the SKIMS founder, which is featured onThe Kardashians Season 4. Not too many people can say they've had a week as eventful as Erivo's. I mean, hosting duties, a special event concert, a music release and a highly anticipated teaser drop, oh my!

The fans who took to the comments were as enthusiastic about the video as I was upon seeing it. Many were in total agreement with the overlaid audio being a perfect touch, and you can see some of the responses below:

• Just an icon icon-ing ✨💚- tismejackieg
• 👑- cesilycollette
• It’s the Erivoverse! 👏👏👏- danaweddle
• MY FAVORITE DIVA! Omg such a queen👑- jackie.volney
• This audio was made for you. Iconic is right. - catherinedeancoaching

It takes hard work to make it in the entertainment industry, and Cynthia Erivo has certainly paid her dues. The talent and abilities the Tony award winner possesses are undeniable, and it feels like her fanbase is only growing. I personally love that Erivo has remained booked and busy.

Just recently, Erivo played five-characters on Poker Face and did so perfectly. Coming up, she’ll be touring over summer, and she'll be leading The Hollywood Bowl’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar. (Though she’s had to wade through some backlash over her starring as JC in the small run.)

I think it’s safe to say, though, that Cynthia Erivo is carving out her place in the industry regardless of what people say. Quite frankly, her work ethic is something to be admired. If you’d like to enjoy her talents, know that her album, I Forgive You, is available now. You can also use a Peacock subscription to watch in Wicked or on Poker Face.

After her breakout performance in Wicked, the world finally got to learn what theatergoers have known for a long time: Cynthia Erivo is a musical star. She blew audiences away with her performance as Elphaba, as reviews for Wicked and her 2025 Oscar nomination show. However, there was some backlash over her landing the role, and now, as she takes on a new musical endeavor, she’s facing criticism again. Now, she’s shared her thoughts on the matter.

Wicked: For Good is set to release on the 2025 movie schedule toward the end of the year; however, before that, some will have the chance to see Cynthia Erivo lead another musical. This summer, she’ll be playing Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The actress opened up about the role too while discussing how her identity as a queer Black performer has impacted her career. She explained to Billboard that she hasn’t felt much pushback from people over parts she’s earned. However, it was different with this, as she faced “conservative outrage,” as the outlet put it, over her casting. In response to this criticism, the Tony winner said:

The story also noted that Erivo explained that “most of those comments don’t seem to understand the critical lens of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.”

Casting choices like Erivo playing Jesus are becoming more and more common in theatrical productions, too. To name just one current example, Sarah Snook is currently playing every character in The Picture of Dorian Grey on Broadway.

This whole situation also isn’t the first time The Color Purple actress has faced backlash over a part she earned. When she was cast as Elphaba in Wicked, there were people who questioned her casting and called it a “woke hire.” In response to that, she told Elle:

Based on the remarkable box office success of Wicked as well as the love it received from critics and fans alike, Erivo and that entire cast proved that they deserved the roles they earned.

Along with this, she also faced backlash in the months leading up to the film's release over comments she made about an AI Wicked poster.

So, overall, Cynthia Erivo has had to face and handle backlash. And when it comes to her most recent project, she seems pretty unbothered by the criticism. As she said, she’s going to sing her “face off” as Jesus while Adam Lambert plays Judas, and all around, it seems like it will be an excellent production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biblical rock opera.

So, if you are in Los Angeles, you can see Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl on August 1, 2 or 3.

You can also see her on TV and likely singing this weekend, as she hosts the Tony Awards, which will air on CBS or for those with a Paramount+ Premium subscription on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET. Then, she’ll be back as Elphaba and on the big screen when Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21.

Clearly, she’s booked, busy and unbothered by the haters. Now, she’s set to sing her heart out on so many different occasions, including at the Hollywood Bowl as Jesus.

It’s kind of an understatement to say that director Jon M. Chu’s Wicked: For Good is a “hotly anticipated” entry on the 2025 movie schedule. Anyone having doubts about my prediction could easily point to the fact that despite Universal’s 2025 CinemaCon panel showing off some footage of the picture, fans haven’t had the chance to gaze upon a trailer for the conclusion of this Oz-ified musical story yet.

Well, I’ve got some good news and some news you might not be too pleased with, as you’ll be able to see Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in full regalia real soon. However, it sounds like there’s only one way you’ll be able to get back to Oz for For Good's first trailer, and you’ll have to click more than your heels.

Wicked For Good’s Trailer Is Debuting Very Soon, But Apparently Only In Theaters

First, here’s the good news: per a press release from Universal Pictures, the release of Wicked: For Good’s first trailer is set to take place on June 4th! In fact, the event is being billed as something truly “global,” as it’s going to take place “simultaneously in all North American time zones.”

And that’s where the catch comes in, as it sounds like you’ll only be able to see this sizzle reel in theaters. But at least it's attached to special bring-back screenings of Wicked, which you can currently purchase tickets for. So it's not like you're showing up for a preview and then dipping to go back to lawn work.

Now, I'm sure there are plenty of people who aren’t afraid to return to a theater near them to see For Good's first trailer and laugh, cry, and potentially sing along with this meteoric box office hit of 2024. However, one has to wonder how many of those fans are ready to follow through with that desire, especially on a random Wednesday.

While I’m someone who always advocates for the theatrical experience, especially when revisiting old favorites, I’d be foolish not to mention that a Peacock subscription could very easily scratch this itch for some, and right at this very moment.

However, it would seem that Universal has some surprises in store for those who do choose to fly into the western sky once more to see Wicked and its sequel's trailer in theaters.

Wicked’s Screening Event Does Offer A Sweet Bit Of Swag

So if you do go to this Wicked screening on June 4th, there’s apparently going to be exclusive “giveaways” for attendees. While that's a rather vague promise, what’s for certain is that you’ll be able to land yourself a commemorative poster for Wicked: For Good. And it I had to guess, it'll be a print of the image you see below:

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I can practically hear fans weeping over the mere invocation of that title, and the image of Elphaba and Glinda separated by a wide chasm that leads down the Yellow Brick Road. I mean, this is everything you would want out of a teaser poster - and it looks pretty spectacular.

Though I’m not a die-hard obsessive over Wicked, I did really enjoy the first half of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s journey. And while this isn’t a $16K charity performance with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, I’m inclined to check this out for myself. Provided, of course, that this announcement hasn’t led to another case similar to how Sinners’ second IMAX 70mm run instantly sold out.

So if you’re rejoicifying that Wicked will be back in theaters AND you'll get to see the first trailer for its sequel during this special screening, go grab your tickets now! And don’t forget that Wicked: For Good is set to hit theaters on November 21st; which may lead to some unsurprising double feature events. At least, one could only hope.

One of the more exciting new releases on the 2025 TV schedule is Season 2 of Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s Poker Face, which just started streaming its first three episodes on Peacock. The new season has some A+ guest stars, chief among them being the Oscar-nominated star of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo. Her episode kicks off the season, which was a smart move for the powers-that-be given her newfound super stardom. However, as it turns out, Wicked wasn’t even taken into consideration when the casting came together. The real story involves a series of coincidences that the showrunner simply refers to as “good fortune.”

Cynthia Erivo plays five characters in the episode, and does so masterfully. Such a synopsis is incredibly enticing for any Wicked fan, but given that the show was cast well before the box office smash and Oscar nominations, Wicked wasn’t even considered. I sat down with showrunner Tony Tost to talk all things Poker Face Season 2, which is when this came up about the timing of the casting and Wicked’s success that followed:

So it turns out that Rian Johnson is simply a big theater buff, and as a result, a huge fan of Cynthis Erivo’s. It’s nice to hear that she wasn’t cast based on clout. Instead, Johnson believed that she would come to play and understand the absurd, quirky and very specific tone of the show. The five characters she plays are sisters, and watching her switch between them really does feel like a masterclass in acting. Once again, Rian Johnson’s instincts were on point.

Johnson’s most notable work comes from the Knives Out movies, for which he has been nominated for two Academy Awards. The cast of those films also happens to be rather stacked and diverse, much like Poker Face, and now I just wish that Cynthia Erivo was set to appear in the upcoming Wake Up Dead Man. Thankfully, there’s another film of Erivo’s on the way that we can look forward to: a little flick you may have heard of called Wicked: For Good.

It must be a daunting task creating the follow-up to such a successful first installment, not just at the box office, but in terms of the film’s glowing reviews. Jon M. Chu and company seem to have it covered, however, as Wicked’s presence on VOD has done nothing but fuel demand for the sequel. Fans have been able to pick the film apart and notice the foreshadowing details that are paving the way for Wicked: For Good. Now we just have to wait patiently until it’s in theaters on November 21.

In the meantime, you can catch Cynthia Erivo in the first episode of Poker Face Season 2 with a Peacock subscription! As for everything else in the world of film and television, keep it right here at CinemaBlend for the latest.

If you’ve kept up with the wild, wonderful world of the Hollywood version of Wicked, you may know some of the ins and outs of the cast's commitment. Unsurprisingly, Bowen Yang’s regular commute between NYC and London and Jonathan Bailey’s commitment to learning his choreography on his days off from Bridgerton aren’t the only highlights of extra hours clocked for Wicked. Cynthia Erivo’s noteworthy overtime came during her stint for Poker Face Season 2 and the press tour for the movie, and it sounds intense.

While Wicked: For Good premieres near the end of the 2025 movie schedule, Erivo caught up with Vanity Fair to talk all things Poker Face S2. The sophomore installment of the Rian Johnson-directed series features her playing five different characters in an episode (the new season premieres May 8 and is available with a Peacock subscription). During the conversation, she shared that her time with the comedy-thriller happened to fall during Wicked’s initial promotional tour, and it left her feeling exhausted. Erivo even recalled that, on the days she was filming multiple characters, it left her feeling even more so, saying:

I can’t even begin to imagine the hours the Harriet alum must have added to her days between the two, let alone the content that filled those hours. Although, admittedly, her role sounds thrilling for the Natasha Lyonne show, and I can understand why she stepped into doing both. I’m sure the appearance will be stellar. Personally, I hope it’ll resemble Ewan McGregor’s Fargo season. Still, those 11 days must have been otherworldly jumping between plugging Wicked and working on the series from the Knives Out director.

Erivo then went on to say cheerily that it was as chaotic as she describes it, but well worth it:

I’m glad that she’s through her version of the multiverse and has lived to tell the tale. The Broadway star’s cameo has me inspired to go watch Poker Face Season 1 before May. If she wasn’t reason enough to get caught up, there are plenty of celebs making an appearance on Poker Face S2, like Katie Holmes and Kumail Nanjiani, who maybe just sealed the deal for this future watcher. I’m sure all of these arcs will have the signature Johnson vibe to fit perfectly into his mysterious worlds, including Erivo’s.

As we get closer to Chu’s second half of the Broadway-turned-movie (the Wicked: For Good poster dropped recently), let’s all hope the cast can have a shred of normalcy to the hours they keep. Although we all know better at this point, it’s highly unlikely for Erivo and company. You can stream Wicked (Pt. 1) with an active Peacock account, and keep an eye out for her on the same platform when Poker Face premieres in May.

One of my most highly-anticipated titles on the 2025 movie schedule is most definitely the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good. To say that I was blown away by its predecessor would be an understatement. I've even been poring over the foreshadowing details I noticed during my rewatch of the first film. Considering all of that, I’m hyped to see the first look at the sequel's poster, which shows off Ariana Grande's new Glinda costume.

Starting on Monday, attendees of Las Vegas’ CinemaCon will be treated to previews of some of the biggest movies of the coming year. Just ahead of the convention's start, a journalist for Cinepop spotted the official first poster of Wicked: For Good on one of the elevators. Take a look:

How gorgeous is that?! Cinepop shared a photo of a banner to X as well. The breathtaking poster once again features Cynthia Erivo (who wore practical green makeup) as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, but it’s clear some time has passed. Elphaba is on the left of the poster and can be seen sporting a new, black costume and the same hat Glinda gave her during the “Dancing Through Life” sequence. She's also holding her broom. But I am especially floored by Grande's pink and blue gown. She’s fully Glinda-fied!

Now, we’ve already seen the actress take on Glinda from the original The Wizard of Oz when she wore that stunning pink dress at the beginning of Wicked. Yet this look is just another level of beauty. I especially love the sleeves that stick up and translucent sleeves. Jon M. Chu's film won Best Costume Design at the Oscars this year, and it’s clear Paul Tazewell put in serious work.

As for the overall poster, it shows the two lead characters standing on different ledges to symbolize how they’ll be living different lives in different regions of Oz after their falling out. The tagline is also “You will be changed” which is perfect given its lyrics from their Act II song “For Good.”

Other details to note are the yellow brick road between them and the flying monkeys in the background of the scene. I’m, of course, instantly jealous of what the CinemaCon attendees will likely see of the second movie when Universal holds its showcase. But, since CinemaBlend will be in attendance, you’ll get to hear about what's ultimately screened this coming next. During last year’s presentation, the studio brought out Erivo and Grande, Jon M. Chu and other cast members along with the first footage from the movie.

Chu has been teasing Wicked: For Good, and I’ve been very excited to see how the filmmakers and cast adapt the second half of the Broadway musical. So, while I don’t need a poster to get me excited, the sight of the new costumes, especially Grande’s mesmerizing gown, definitely amps up my anticipation levels. Be sure to check out the film when it opens in theaters on November 21.

SPOILERS are ahead for both Wicked movies. (Yes, including the one among the upcoming 2025 movies). Proceed with caution if you’re not familiar with the musical.

When I caught Wicked in theaters last year, I was absolutely floored over seeing one of my favorite musicals recaptured with movie magic years after falling in love and memorizing the original Broadway soundtrack, along with seeing it live when I was younger. I totally agree with our Wicked review: Jon M. Chu absolutely understood the assignment with this incredible take on the hit production. While I absolutely loved seeing all the details I could on the big screen, I knew I missed a lot the first time under the filter of my happy tears.

Now that Wicked is finally streaming on Peacock, I decided to rewatch it at home, and I need to talk about a few key details that I think perfectly nod to what’s coming next in Act II. Let’s get into it:

The ‘For Good’ Orchestrations Hit So Hard At The Beginning Of Wicked

Of course, the first time I saw Wicked I noticed the “For Good” orchestrations after Glinda is asked if the Wicked Witch was her friend during “No One Mourns The Wicked.” I was crying 12 minutes into the movie thanks to the "For Good" music making a quick cameo, but now that I've seen the party sequence (which is easily the best scene in the movie), I was even more of a mess this time around. And, I know it’s going to get me even more emotional once we see the duo sing “For Good” together.

I Confirmed Jeff Goldblum’s Voice Is Used In No One Mourns The Wicked

Also during “No One Mourns The Wicked," I thought I caught Jeff Goldblum’s voice when Elphaba’s mom is being visited by her lover and taking the green potion when I first watched it. Upon the second viewing, I could absolutely confirm that it’s his voice during the lines “Have another drink my dark-eyed beauty. I’ve got one more night left here in town…” While this connection is never revealed in the movie, I love that they used Goldblum’s voice to show it's the Wizard for those who listen hard enough. I can’t wait to see how Part 2 reveals the big twist.

Glinda Also References ‘Something Bad’ Right After She Meets Elphaba

I don’t know how much of this detail was intentional or not, but I noticed this time that right after Glinda and Elphaba meet for the first time, Glinda storms away asking if she did “something bad” while talking to her friends. I might be reading into this, but I think by referring to the song title Dr. Dillamond later sings with Elphaba, it’s foreshadowing to the end of the first movie where she gives into the Wizard’s plans rather than sticking with Elphaba and her anti-Oz uprising.

Elphaba Having A ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ Moment Is Too Perfect

Obviously Wicked wouldn’t be here without The Wizard of Oz, which famously includes the “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” song in the original movie. While some might consider Wicked to be a villain origin story, I think the musical is more of an empowering coming-of-age story from Elphaba’s perspective. When Elphaba sings “The Wizard And I” after racing through the fields and a rainbow shows up in the distance, I think it’s a reminder that she’s the protagonist of her own story here, and while yes, there’s some pain afoot in both movies, she’ll get her happy ending.

Glinda And Elphaba’s ‘What Is This Feeling’ Fight Feels Like Prep For Act II

In Act II of Wicked, Elphaba and Glinda get into an altercation, and in “What Is This Feeling," when they fight each other with long sticks, it feels like they are practicing for later in the story. I do wonder if they’ll flash back to this scene when they go broom to wand in the second half of the story.

I Also Realized Why Elphaba Might Have Chosen To Flee To The West

As a fan of the musical, one element of the movie that hit harder than the Broadway show was Elphaba's love for the animals of Oz. And during the “Something Bad” sequence, Elphaba looks at a map that shows tunnels that go under Oz and to what looks like the west side of the region. I think that explains why she becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, specifically.

Elphaba Telling Fiyero To ‘Get Stuffed’ Didn’t Register The First Time

After watching Wicked again, I’m also definitely more pumped for Elphaba and Fiyero to explore their romance after seeing their chemistry play out. But, what I didn’t notice the first time was how Elphaba tells Fiyero to “get stuffed” after he almost hits her with his horse during their first meeting. It’s clearly foreshadowing how Elphaba will turn him into the Scarecrow during the second act.

I Also Didn’t Clock What Boq Telling Glinda He ‘Cries A Lot’ Refers To

Similarly, I noticed something similar happens for Ethan Slater’s Boq while he’s talking to Glinda in the middle of the “Dancing Through Life” sequence. He says he “cries a lot,” which also foreshadows his fate as the Tin Man, who famously has this characteristic in the original The Wizard of Oz.

I Realized The Lion Cub’s Roar Is Very Reminiscent Of The Cowardly Lion, Too

To round out Dorothy’s friends, who she’ll meet on the Yellow Brick Road during the second act, we also meet the Cowardly Lion as a baby cub in Wicked. While I caught this to some degree during my first viewing, what I didn’t notice is how his little roars already sounds like the cowardly lion from The Wizard of Oz. Perhaps this has something to do with rewatching The Wizard of Oz after seeing Wicked.

And, Elphaba’s Moment With The Grimmery Has Me Especially Excited For ‘No Good Deed’

The last detail I’ll talk about is the moment when Elphaba reads the Grimmery and ends up turning the monkey guards into monkeys that can fly. When she reads the spell from the book, I saw that she was half singing them. It reminded me of one of my favorite songs from the second act “No Good Deed.” I absolutely cannot wait to see how Cynthia Erivo, who absolutely put on green makeup everyday of the production by the way, adapts that song along with really coming into her character of the Wicked Witch.

While, I’ve been a bit stressed about the sequel, knowing that a lot of the greatest moments are in the first half, rewatching it and seeing these small but effective bits of breadcrumbs really made me hyped for Wicked: For Good. I’m officially counting down the days until its release on November 21.

It’s hard to watch Wicked, and not be utterly in awe and immersed in the world. This is particularly the case when it comes to one of two leads of the Wicked cast, Cynthia Erivo and her perfectly green skin. No, Elphaba isn’t CGI green. The actress was in the makeup chair everyday when she went to set to transform into the future Wicked Witch. Let’s talk about how it was done.

Why Cynthia Erivo Wanted To Be Green On Set

First, of course the question is, why would the production of Wicked decide to put Erivo through hours of makeup to turn green. Well, as the Elphaba actress actually spoke to in NBC’s Defying Gravity: The Curtain Rises On Wicked documentary, she was actually the one who wanted to do so. Here’s why in her words:

Becoming green day in and day out allowed Cynthia Erivo to really embody the character of Elphaba for herself and all the actors around her on set. The whole movie itself employed a lot of practical sets, so it certainly would have been a different energy on set if Erivo showed up to Oz looking exactly like herself.

How Elphaba’s Green Makeup Was Created And How Long It Took To Apply

Elphaba’s makeup was achieved by Frances Hannon, who has previously worked on a number of Wes Anderson films along with Marvel movies like X-Men: First Class and Eternals. As she told People in an interview, finding the right shade of green for Cynthia Erivo was a process that involved her and her team creating a custom shade of green makeup on their own.

She started by testing the shades on models with a similar complexion color to Erivo prior to when filming began, because the actress was in America and she was in England. Quickly, she ran into the issue of the shade needing to hold up in a variety of lighting and to be able to stay on the actor’s skin. Jon M. Chu also talked about the process to CinemaBlend in the below video:

The production found a discontinued cream eyeshadow made in Canada with a neon base that helped them get started, but Erivo ended up having a coat of custom-made green primer that was applied with a brush or sponge, along with a shade of makeup being airbrushed on her face and body. The makeup that was airbrushed on was described by Hannon as "slightly less fluid than water.” Erivo’s face was also contoured and freckles were added to give the character a youthful appearance. Erivo also had eyebrows drawn on since she shaves hers.

All and all, that whole process usually took around two hours. And, the removal process? About an hour. According to Hannon, Erivo “never, ever, ever once complained, ever”!

As we wait for the Wicked release date of the upcoming second part of the story, it’s as good a time as any to revisit the first movie which we gave a perfect five stars in CinemaBlend’s Wicked review, and is now a 2025 Oscar winner.

Throughout her career, Amanda Seyfried has played various roles, from a ditzy and sweet teen in Mean Girls to a successful entrepreneur in The Dropout. Like many actors, though, she’s gone out for major roles and not landed them. Seyfried revealed a while ago that she actually auditioned for the 2024 box office record-breaker that was Wicked. It would seem that the actress sought the role of Glinda, and she even auditioned with eventual Elphaba actress Cynthia Ervio. Now, some are convinced Erivo actually shaded Seyfried.

What Did Amanda Seyfried Say About Auditioning with Cynthia Erivo?

At present, the 39-year-old Emmy winner is promoting her latest production, Long Bright River, which is set to be released amid the 2025 TV schedule. While doing press, she stopped by the Happy Sad Confused to discuss her professional highlights. Talk eventually turned to Wicked (which can now be streamed with a Peacock subscription), during which she explained that she was diligent when preparing for her audition and worked with a vocal coach. As for the experience itself, the star said the following:

As mentioned during this recent interview, which is now on YouTube, Amanda Seyfried is a big fan of the Wizard of Oz-related musical, so she relished the opportunity to audition for Glinda. She even went viral a few years ago after posting a video of herself singing “Popular” (and the actress did a solid job, too). Ultimately, though, the role of the cheerful witch went to Ariana Grande, who went on to receive acclaim for her performance. While Seyfried didn’t land the part, it is sweet to hear that she still views her audition experience positively.

How Has Cynthia Erivo Discussed Other Actors She Read With During Auditions, And Why Do Fans Now See It As Shade?

Cynthia Erivo has also spoken in depth about the process of landing the role of Elphaba, for which she went on to receive an Oscar nomination and other honors. During a previous interview with The New York Times, the British actress was asked about her reaction to Ariana Grande’s casting and, while sharing her thoughts, she alluded to two other actors she auditioned with:

Given the Harriet alum’s comments and the fact that Amanda Seyfried auditioned with her, fans now seem to be under the impression that Seyfried is one of the “two ladies” being referred to. Cynthia Erivo didn’t elaborate further on the specific skills of the pair of women she worked with early on but, on the surface, her comment to the NYT would seemingly suggest she wasn’t that impressed. Of course, that’s more of an assumption, though TikTok user celestialsav is one such person who believes Seyfried was being shaded.

Ultimately, fans don’t know exactly what transpired when the Seyfried/Erivo audition went down, so we can’t speak to the quality of the former’s performance at that time. And, as her comments go viral, Cynthia Erivo has yet to provide any clarity on the matter. Regardless of that, it’s clear that Seyfried is pleased to have been able to audition and particularly appreciates that she was able to sing with a performer as powerful as Erivo. I’d also expect her to be seated for the upcoming Wicked: For Good when it hits theaters.

Amanda Seyfried will grace the big screen this year, as she’ll star in the 2025 movie schedule entry, The Housemaid. The film is set to open in theaters on December 25.

How To Watch Wicked Online

Watch Wicked: Preview

Wizomaniacs, grab the Glinda in your life and prepare to be thrillified as Wicked gets its streaming debut, alongside the Sing-Along version that will get everyone tip-tapping down that Yellow Brick Road. Featuring the delightful duo of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as unlikely friends Elphaba and Glinda, and packed with exhilarating cinematic spectacle and musical numbers, our guide below will explain how to watch Wicked online with Peacock and from anywhere so you can go back to Oz right away.

Director Jon M. Chu and his team worked magic with this adaptation of the hugely successful stage show. The spellbinding movie musical was showered with more accolades than the Emerald City has flying monkeys. It scooped up Best Director and Best Film at the National Board of Review, received the Golden Globe for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement (having raked in a worldwide gross of over $735 million) and pretty much cleaned up when it came to the Production Design and Costume Design awards, totally justified considering the visuals throughout are utterly transportive.

Then there’s the exuberant, heartfelt story. A prequel to 1939’s The Wizard of Oz and taking inspiration from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked begins with all of Munchkinland rejoicing that the Wicked Witch is dead after her fatal baptism with a bucket of water. Pushed to answer why wickedness exists, Glinda the Good thinks back to her Shiz University days, recalling her fateful friendship with Elphaba Thropp that begins when the two of them become reluctant roommates.

The talented, oh-so-green Elphaba and the hair tossing, self-obsessed Glinda initially hate each other to a hilarious degree. They soon become staunch allies and BFFs, however, before Wicked: Part I ends with them both at a crossroads: Elphaba is denounced, refusing to let her powers be co-opted by Oz’s authoritarian rulers, and rides off on her broom to meet her destiny as the “Wicked Witch," while Glinda stays behind, later to be revered as “Glinda the Good.”

It didn’t pick up the Oscar for Best Picture. But there’s no denying it’s a bravura piece of filmmaking: a vibrant, fully realized world anchored by Erivo and Grande’s deeply heartfelt performances. The Wall Street Journal described it as "the most dazzling live-action Hollywood musical since Chicago,” while Antonia Blyth of Deadline Hollywood called it “a blast from start to finish” and praised the “next-level talent” of the film’s two leads.

So, get ready to rejoicify as we explain how to watch Wicked online from anywhere – just be prepared to be singing “Defying Gravity” randomly for weeks afterwards…possibly even until sequel Wicked: For Good arrives in cinemas later this year.

How to watch Wicked online in the US

It’s popular, and it’s on Peacock. US viewers can watch Wicked online from Friday, March 21 when the award-winning film arrives on NBC Universal’s streaming service. Alongside the hit musical’s debut, there'll be a sing-along version of the film, plus tons of behind-the-scenes features and bonus content.

Looking to sign-up? You can get a Peacock subscription starting at $7.99 a month. Alternatively, pay more and skip the commercials by opting for its Premium Plus plan, which costs $13.99 a month.

Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial right now. But you could save 17% when purchasing one of its annual plans ($79.99 or $139.99 a year respectively).

A US citizen abroad? If you're an American temporarily out of the country, download a VPN to access the same services you’d enjoy back home.

How to watch Wicked online from anywhere

If you're a US citizen on vacation or working overseas, you can still watch Wicked online just as you would at home.

While services like Peacock block access from IP addresses outside of the US, there's a handy piece of software called a VPN that can change your IP address to make it look like you're accessing streaming services from any country in the world.

For example, US citizens overseas can subscribe to a VPN, join a US-based server and access their subscription from anywhere in the world, just like they would back home.

Step-by-step of using a VPN to unblock:

1. Choose your ideal VPN and install – our go-to recommendation for unblocking is NordVPN, costing from under $3.99 a month with its 2-year plan

2. Connect to a server – for Peacock, you'll want to connect to a server based in the US.

3. Go to the stream you wish to access - for Wicked, head to your home streaming service (Peacock in the US, for example.)

How to watch Wicked online in Canada

Canadians can watch Wicked online and join Elphaba and Glinda in the Emerald City with an Amazon Prime Video subscription. The award-winning musical will be available to stream from Friday, March 21 – day and date with its US streaming release.

In even better news, there’s a 30-day free trial for new or eligible returning subscribers. If you decide to keep your membership after the promo period, you’ll pay CA$9.99 a month (plus tax), or $99.99 if you opt for the annual option. Prime membership offers heaps of other benefits, too, among them free two-day shipping, unlimited music streaming, and access to a packed library of new and classic TV shows and movies.

How to watch Wicked online in Australia

Wicked hasn’t found a streaming home yet Down Under. But it’s not all bad news. The film is available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video, and at a reduced price at the time of writing: AU$5.99 to rent (reduced from AU$29.99) or AU$24.99 to buy (originally AU$34.99). Alternatively, can also purchase Wicked via Microsoft Store or the Apple TV store.

NB: Peacock is regionally restricted outside of the USA. That means if you're currently traveling out of the country, you’ll want to download a VPN to appear back home and access your usual on-demand services.

How to watch Wicked online in the UK

A streaming release is still to be confirmed in the UK. But don’t prematurely bin your pointy hats: those in Blighty can still watch Wicked online, as the Oscar-winning musical was added to Amazon Prime Video from January 15 – though only to rent or buy as a digital download. Right now, its £4.99 to rent (down from £15.99!) or, alternatively, £13.99 to buy outright (usually £19.99).

Currently visiting another country? Use a VPN to access geo-restricted services like Peacock like you normally would.

Wicked Trailer

Who Is In The Cast of Wicked?

• Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp
• Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland
• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar
• Ethan Slater as Boq Woodsman
• Bowen Yang as Pfannee
• Peter Dinklage as the voice of Dr. Dillamond
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible
• Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz
• Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp
• Bronwyn James as ShenShen
• Andy Nyman as Governor Thropp
• Courtney-Mae Briggs as Mrs. Thropp
• Keala Settle as Miss Coddle
• Aaron Teoh as Avaric
• Sharon D. Clarke as Dulcibear

After the entire Wicked press tour, and considering the pink and green looks from last year's Oscars, I knew Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo would slay at this year’s Academy Awards. However, I didn't expect them to actually defy gravity with their gowns!

That's right, as the 2025 Oscar nominees (Grande is nominated for Best Supporting Actress while Erivo is up for Lead Actress) walked the carpet, they rocked structured, big and incredible looks that gave big Elphaba and Glinda energy.

Starting with Ariana Grande, she wore Schiaparelli, according to the ABC Red Carpet broadcast. Honestly, it's giving Glinda's bubble dress in a new and modern way. Take a look:

I’m obsessed with the juxtaposition of the smooth light pink corset top mixed with the tulle skirt. However, the star of the show is the structured peplum that cascades into the flowy skirt, which really makes this look defy gravity.

On top of all that, Grande brought the fashion moment together with simple glam, a diamond necklace and her signature slicked-back hair do. Overall, it’s giving Grande and Glinda:

Now, onto Cynthia Erivo. While Grande's look is 100% Glinda-fied, Erivo's Louis Vuitton dress (via People) is giving big Elphaba energy. Her co-star went for a light pink bubbly gown, while she went for a deep, deep green dress.

The velvet garment is truly stunning, and the giant bow at the top mixed with the high neckline and massive skirt is incredible. Much like how I’m in awe of Elphaba’s powers in Wicked, I’m speechless over this incredible gown:

To top it all off, the actress was obviously rocking a luxe and detailed manicure and shimmering earrings to add some sparkle to the outfit.

Now, both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have said they don’t coordinate their looks. However, I have to wonder if they planned this. Both dresses pay homage to Glinda and Elphaba in unique ways that also highlight the actresses' individual styles, and I truly cannot get over them.

Overall, these women- and the whole Wicked cast- are bringing this award season to an end with a bang. After over a year of wonderful Wicked looks, these fits are the perfect way to celebrate the success of the first film.

As I stated, Grande and Erivo weren’t the only members of the Wicked cast rocking outfits that would make them “Popular.” For example, the Wizard himself, Jeff Goldblum, was wearing a custom Prada suit that featured an ivory blazer, purple scarf, a lovely patterned shirt, and an incredible flower on his lapel that’s green and purple. As you can see, there’s a lot of Emerald City energy radiating off him:

Overall, the entire ensemble was killing it on the red carpet in ways that paid homage to Wicked beautifully. Talk about a perfect way to close out the award season!

However, it’s a great way to start getting us all excited for the release of Wicked: For Good, too, because the highly anticipated second act of the musical slated on the 2025 movie schedule will fly into theaters on November 21.

The Oscars are swiftly approaching, with many wondering what exciting surprises this year’s broadcast has in store. Conan O’Brien is hosting, which is a treat for many comedy fans, and his famous on-stage antics will surely liven up the ceremony. Many are also wondering if there will be any performances to look forward to, including one from Wicked's Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Now, Erivo is weighing in on the rumor running around that claims the Glinda and Elphaba actresses will sing during the telecast, and she had a pretty blunt take.

Cynthia Erivo, who is a 2025 Oscar nominee this year, made an appearance at the Critics Choice Awards. She was interviewed by Variety on the red carpet, and she was asked if she and the rest of the Wicked cast would be performing at The Academy Awards. She seemed surprised by the notion, and shut down any suspicion that she’d spoken to The Academy regarding a live performance, saying:

I personally am surprised that she was shocked by the rumors. Wicked was a massive box office hit this year, and resulted in a Best Picture Oscar nomination, as well as acting nominations for both Erivo and Grande. It clearly will have a presence at the ceremony, and has left a massive stamp on pop culture. It’s also not unusual for a host to include musical elements in their opening, especially when a big musical is nominated.

However, it seems that Erivo’s confusion comes from the fact that Wicked wasn’t nominated for Best Original Song. She said:

While she is correct that Wicked wasn’t nominated for its songs, it also wasn’t technically eligible considering the music wasn’t originally written for the screen and was written for the stage musical. Also, just because it isn’t nominated for songs, doesn’t mean that the potential wasn’t there. The cast of Les Misérables sang “One Day More” at the Oscars in 2013 despite that song not being nominated due to ineligibility, so a Wicked performance didn’t seem out of the question.

Additionally, the Oscars are mixing up how they handle Best Original Song this year. In the past, all the nominees performed their nominated song at the ceremony. However, The Academy has decided not to do it this year. In context, the decision makes sense -- as they're hoping to use the time to highlight how the songs were crafted. Plus, Ryan Gosling brought the house down with “I’m Just Ken” in 2024, and that’ll be hard to top. Some thought this change in tradition may make room for a potential Wicked performance, but based on these Erivo comments, unfortunately, this likely won’t be the case.

Fans may not see “Defying Gravity” performed at the Oscars, but they can revisit the fantastic music of Wicked, which is still playing in select theaters nationwide. You can also see if the film takes home the gold at the Academy Awards by watching the ceremony live on ABC on March 2nd. The Oscars will also be streaming this year for those with a Hulu subscription.

Wicked and what we know about Wicked: For Good has been a cornerstone of the 2025 movie schedule buzz. Fans across the globe are anxiously awaiting any morsel of content from the Broadway-turned-movie’s second installment, including Cynthia Erivo. As a new and increasingly excited admirer of the musical and movie, I’m ready for the November release. In the meantime, though, I’ll gladly take Erivo’s enthusiastic and motivated need to get a sneak peek at what’s awaiting all of us in Oz.

The Harriet actress chatted with THR about being included on the 2025 Oscar nominations list for Best Actress. Amongst discussing her potentially making Oscar history, the 38-year-old divulged that she’s only seen minimal Wicked: For Good footage. She also shared that the sequel is now being edited but the movie’s director, Jon M. Chu, won’t let anyone get a preview of the upcoming promo content. The Bad Times at El Royale alum added that she’s incredibly inspired to go behind the scenes and see it before release day, saying:

It’s surprising to know that even Cynthia Erivo (or presumably Ariana Grande) doesn’t, and maybe, won’t have access to Part 2 before the rest of the world. With Chu editing, though, it’s understandable that he’s trying his best to keep it under wraps. My guess is, though, having watched their dynamics and relationships through interviews, that the cinematic Elphaba (and probably Glinda) will see teasers, trailers, and, of course, the movie before the rest of us. I’ll just be over here counting down the days and hoping for lots of good press material in the meantime.

As the upcoming awards shows continue to fly by, Erivo has been at most, including last night’s Grammy’s. Every time I see her or the "Eternal Sunshine" singer it reminds me that For Good is one day closer, and pumps me up all over again. Like I mentioned, I’m new to the Wicked world but so thrilled to be here having loved The Wizard of Oz from my first watch. Learning just how well this prequel has fleshed out the Frank L. Baum Hollywood classic has made me an even bigger fan of the whole Ozian world–Cynthia Erivo and company is a great cherry on top of it all.

It’ll be an exciting day when Wicked: For Good content releases for fans like me. Hopefully (and likely), the motivated Cynthia Erivo and other cast members get a look before the rest of us. And if it’s anything like the 2024 release, and its crushing box office numbers, we’ll all be in for a real treat.

Wicked Pt. 1 is available with VOD services and is playing nationwide. It will be available to stream soon with an active Peacock subscription when it arrives.