“Wicked” is one of the most “Popular” stage musicals of all-time. Since it premiered in 2003, it’s been seen by countless fans around the world. These “Wicked” superfans have been waiting 20 years to see a film adaptation of their favorite show, and now it’s finally here.
On Friday, “Wicked: Part One” will finally hit theaters and we can all prepare ourselves to once again obsess over the witches Galinda/Glinda and Elphaba. In case you’re not familiar with the classic musical, “Wicked” is a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz.” It reveals what happened in the magical land before a tornado blew Dorothy into town. Turns out, the Wicked Witch may not be that bad; she’s just misunderstood.
As fans grow increasingly excited about the film starring pop superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda and Tony winner Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, they’ve been treated to a global press tour by the two powerhouse singers. In the story, Glinda and Elphaba have a complicated friendship — and it appears that we’ve been watching some of that play out in real life during their interviews.
The actresses have been seen holding hands and crying on the red carpet and in interviews. This has led some people to question whether their bond is real, or just PR for the film. As TikTok user beatbysagec notes, “theater kids” — which both women definitely are — are known for being “dramatic” and passionate, so maybe we can chalk some of this up to that.
Many commenters on this video agreed, citing the importance of “vocal chemistry.” One person highlighted what performing together really means, writing, “I feel like singing together is such a bonding experience that ppl don’t encounter much.”
Someone else applauded their bond, replying, “People don’t know what genuine friendship looks like. Their friendship is refreshing.”
A huge production like this is physically and emotionally exhausting. They split the musical into two movies, essentially making each act into a separate film. This means they actually shot two movies, not one. Add in how much hype and anticipation is surrounding this project and that’s a lot of pressure to deal with. This can account for some of the awkward moments and answers we’ve seen from Erivo and Grande. For example, the “Harriet” star’s online outburst over a fan poster could have been an instance of emotional fatigue as they reach the finish line of promoting the movie.
It’s also worth noting that Grande is a well-known “Wicked” superfan, is great friends with actress Kristin Chenoweth who played the original Glinda, and has been lobbying to play the role for years. This is literally a dream come true for her, which would make anyone extra sentimental. She’s also had to deal with headlines following her relationship with co-star Ethan Slater.
Considering how high-profile this film is, it’s understandable that everyone involved is emotional to finally have it hit theaters. Once it’s released, they’ll be able to get some distance from it, until “Wicked: Part Two” comes out in 2025.
“Wicked: Part One” flies into theaters Nov. 22, followed by “Wicked: Part Two,” which is currently scheduled for release Nov. 21, 2025.