The Emerald City is the perfect setting for this partnership! Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, two powerful performers, are eager to bring the beloved Broadway musical “Wicked” to the big screen.
“Thank Goodness” For Ariana Grande
In a recent interview, Erivo, who plays the green-skinned Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, revealed that she was thrilled when she learned that Grande had landed the role of her bubbly counterpart, Glinda the Good Witch. “Absolutely no surprise whatsoever,” Erivo said. “I said, ‘Thank God,'” Grande recalled, with Erivo adding, “Thank goodness, because it was not the two ladies that I was auditioning with.”
Breaking Barriers, As Elphaba
Erivo, a Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee, admitted that she didn’t think she would even be considered for the role of Elphaba, as she said, “Historically, Black women have never really been seen for the role.” “Historically, Black women haven’t gotten the role, and if they do, they usually are the alternate or first cover,” the actress continued.
Erivo’s powerful performance as Elphaba is sure to shatter barriers and inspire audiences around the world. “I had no intention of playing to the green,” she said. “I wanted people to see her inner life.”
Ariana Grande Transforms Into Glinda
As for Grande, the pop superstar was determined to leave her trademark high ponytail and vocal stylings behind to fully embody the role of Glinda. “It was really important to erase as much of myself as possible so that they could just be looking at Glinda,” she said.
The two petite powerhouses formed an instant bond on set, with Grande joking that they were “quite shocked that we had finally met someone the same size.” Their off-stage camaraderie is sure to translate to the screen, adding an extra layer of magic to their on-stage rivalry and friendship.
Overcoming COVID-19 Challenges
The road to the “Wicked” movie hasn’t been an effortless one, as both Erivo and Grande had to overcome bouts of COVID-19 in the midst of filming. Erivo caught the virus just before shooting the iconic “Defying Gravity” number, while Grande fell ill right before her big “Popular” performance.
“There was one time when I got Covid; there was another time when she got Covid,” Erivo revealed. But the two remained resilient, with Grande even joking that she sang in Erivo’s ear, “Positive; you’re going to be positive!”
The Emotional Toll Of Saying Goodbye
Both actresses were heartbroken to part ways with their beloved characters after filming wrapped. “We cried every minute and every hour. We both were in a horrible state for a few days,” said Grande. Erivo echoed those sentiments, admitting, “I still fiercely love her.”
As fans eagerly await the arrival of “Wicked” in theaters on November 22nd, one thing is certain: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are poised to deliver performances that will leave audiences spellbound.
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