Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo Broke Into Tears After Landing Roles in ‘Wicked’

In a heartwarming YouTube video just over two minutes long, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo found themselves overwhelmed with emotion as they learned they had been cast in the highly coveted lead roles of Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, for the upcoming Wicked movie musical. The touching footage, captured during the pandemic era, depicted the film’s director, Jon M. Chu, delivering the life-changing news via webcam.

Chu expressed his admiration for Erivo, stating, “Cynthia is so raw and vulnerable, and I couldn’t get her out of my head,” as he revealed his decision to cast the talented English actress as Elphaba.

After a brief montage offering a glimpse into the film’s production, the video transitioned to a split-screen conversation between Chu and Erivo. “The world needs to see more of you,” the director declared, his words filled with conviction. “And we would love for you to be our Elphaba.” 

Also Read: Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo Reunite at The Met Gala 2024

Erivo’s reaction was one of pure, unadulterated joy, as she became overcome with emotion, burying her face in her arms. In a separate confessional, she reflected on the profound journey that led her to this moment, expressing her profound gratitude.

Next, fans witnessed the heartwarming moment when Grande learned of her casting as the beloved Glinda the Good. “We want you to be our Glinda the Good,” Chu announced to the acclaimed artist. Like her co-star, Grande found herself overwhelmed by tears of joy, covering her face as she exclaimed, “Oh my God, thank you!”

In a poignant acceptance speech, Erivo called for increased collaboration between Black and Asian talent and creatives, stating, “Can we please work together more? Because I love the work that we put into the world, but we almost always do it separately, and quite frankly, we’re so much more flavorful when we do it together. So more for us, more for every single one of you in this room, and I hope that I get to see many of your names in lights, and I get to do it with you.”

Grande, too, shared her deep connection to the beloved Broadway musical, revealing that she “had the incredible privilege of seeing the original Broadway cast” when she was just a child. Based on the 1995 novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’ by Gregory Maguire, the Tony-winning Broadway production has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, and the upcoming film adaptation promises to bring the enchanting story to life on the big screen.

-Sushmita Sarkar