Excuse us a moment because we need to pick our jaws up off the floor. We have your first look at Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked: For Good. And even though summer just started, we can’t wait for November.

On June 3, 2025, DiscussingFilm shared the dazzling first official images of the stars in their magical roles from the much-anticipated sequel Wicked: For Good. Fans are already losing it. The tweet racked up over 120K views in mere hours—and for good reason.

Ariana Grande, playing Glinda the Good Witch, stuns in a shimmering pastel gown, complete with ethereal puff sleeves and an ornate crown, holding a sparkling wand with regal poise.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba returns with striking green skin, long, dark hair, a dramatic black witch’s hat, and fierce emerald nails, radiating power and intensity.

“Wicked for Good”: First Look

Wicked: For Good is the highly anticipated second installment in the Wicked film saga, based on the hit Broadway musical and Gregory Maguire’s novel. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the sequel follows the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda as they navigate the political, magical, and emotional fallout after the events of the first film.

With spellbinding visuals and emotional storytelling, Wicked: For Good is expected to dig deeper into the characters’ destinies, relationships, and the line between good and evil.

Mark your calendars: Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21, 2025. But if you can’t wait that long, you’re in luck—the official trailer drops tomorrow, June 4.

Why This Sequel Matters

The new image contrasts Glinda and Elphaba, perfectly capturing the duality. Grande floats against a whimsical lavender backdrop, her expression confident and full of glamor. Meanwhile, Erivo’s intense gaze and strong posture hint at the internal strength and conflict her character carries. It’s a stunning visual promise of the emotional weight and spectacle to come.

The first film, Wicked, was a monumental success. It grossed nearly $1 billion globally and dominated both the box office and the awards season. Critics praised the powerhouse performances of Erivo and Grande. The lush production design and the faithful yet fresh take on the beloved musical also earned accolades. It reinvigorated the movie musical genre, attracting longtime fans and newcomers.

The Wicked musical itself is one of Broadway’s most successful productions of all time. Since its debut in 2003, it’s won three Tony Awards, a Grammy, and played to sold-out audiences worldwide. The transition to film was always a high-stakes move, but the success of Part One proved the demand is stronger than ever.

Stay tuned for the trailer

The hype is real, and with the Wicked: For Good first look, it’s just getting started. Universal Pictures will release the full Wicked: For Good trailer on June 4, setting the tone for what’s sure to be one of the biggest cinematic events of the year.

Stay tuned and don’t miss it—because this holiday season, the land of Oz is taking over the big screen once again.

At CinemaCon 2025, the much-awaited follow-up to last year’s huge hit, Wicked, was the main attraction. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who are playing Glinda and Elphaba again, gave fans their first look at Wicked: For Good during Universal Pictures’ event at Caesars Palace. The studio was celebrating the massive success of the first movie, and this presentation gave everyone a small preview of what was coming next—both for the characters and the actors themselves.

As reported by People, the teaser shown at CinemaCon had a lot of exciting moments for fans. Most importantly, it revealed Dorothy for the first time, though her face wasn’t shown. There were also classic Wizard of Oz elements like the yellow brick road and the Emerald City, which suggested the movie would stay true to the original story while still telling something new.

Scenes of Erivo’s Elphaba singing No Good Deed and Grande’s Glinda performing For Good were included, proving that the sequel will have just as much music and spectacle as the first film. The teaser ended with Elphaba’s famous line, “I’m off to see the Wizard,” making it clear where the story is headed.

Wicked Actresses forgive the audience

Besides the new footage, the two actresses talked about how emotional they got during the Wicked press tour in 2024—a moment that spread quickly online. While they’re excited about the new round of promotions, Grande and Erivo joked that this time, there would be “less crying.” Erivo said, “We can’t wait to get back on the road again… And I promise less waterworks this time, but I’m not sure we can live up to that.”

“Yes, we already have our tissues packed,” Grande added as Erivo continued… but you’ve seen it, so you get it, right? You cried,” Grande added, to laughter from the audience. “You cried. Don’t lie. We know. We saw,” Erivo said. “And we thank you and forgive you for the hard time you gave us for doing it.”

Wicked: For Good picks up right where the first movie left off. Director Jon M. Chu confirmed that the sequel will deal with the fallout of the choices Elphaba and Glinda made before. The teaser hinted that their friendship would grow stronger, with scenes of Glinda warning Elphaba and others and suggesting a coming conflict.

Elphaba’s exile and Glinda’s search for what it really means to be good were key parts of the presentation. Most of the original cast is returning, including Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Ethan Slater, and Michelle Yeoh, so fans can expect the same world but with new developments. Wicked: For Good, directed by Chu and written by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, will be in theaters on November 21, 2025.

The (magic) dust has barely settled on Wicked and we’re already gearing up for its sequel, but the two leading stars have revealed opposing opinions ahead of Wicked: For Good. 

In case you missed it, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande recently appeared at the annual CinemaCon convention in Las Vegas to promote For Good, the second installment of the movie adaptation of Wicked. The sequel closed out Universal Pictures’ overall presentation at the convention, and Glinda and Elphaba themselves were there to debut footage from the film ahead of its November release. 

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are now on the #CinemaCon stage to present ‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ pic.twitter.com/eKetNsmYSx

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 3, 2025

Before showing off the footage — which reportedly included snippets of the song “No Good Deed” (gasp!) and clips of the two witches’ long-awaited reunion (double gasp!) — Erivo and Grande greeted audiences to inform them of what’s in store. While the two actresses have become notoriously close over the course of filming the project (to the point of spawning countless memes), they did speak of one key difference in opinion. 

“I promise less water works this time,” Erivo said, in reference to the pair’s tearful (and hilariously viral) press tour while promoting Wicked last year. Grande, however, appeared to rebuff the suggestion that she would go without crying, telling Erivo and fans that she “already [has] our tissues packed.” The playful disagreement naturally brings back memories of Grande and Erivo’s whirlwind press tour, which rivalled that of Don’t Worry Darling in of headline-grabbing moments. 

Cynthia Erivo says she promises less waterworks on the press tour for ‘WICKED FOR GOOD’ but Ariana Grande promises she’s packed tissues. pic.twitter.com/2ulaJga4k4

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 3, 2025

There was the ceaseless chatter of those who rooted for so-called Gelphie (which was later confirmed by Wicked’s original author), as well as a viral (and NSFW) QR code that was mistakenly printed on Wicked Barbie dolls. Then, of course, there was our collective quest to “hold space for the lyrics to ‘Defying Gravity,’” a sound bite so contagious it’s still used by this writer on a weekly basis. With such an influx of buzzy moments, it stands to reason Erivo might want to take a backseat during For Good’s press run, but let’s hope Grande’s packed tissues are also put to good use, too. 

Since the only fandom more diehard than the Swifities is the musical theater-heads, it wasn’t long before fans reacted to the pair’s comments. “So basically, one’s holding it together and the other’s ready for a full meltdown,” one fan wrote of Erivo and Grande’s opposing press tour goals. “Cynthia holding back tears while Ariana’s ready with tissues is peak friendship goals,” another X added, with a third simply demanding “more tears.”

Cynthia holding back tears while Ariana’s ready with tissues is peak friendship goals.

— Capitán (@SirTopiano) April 3, 2025

In addition to that reference to the viral press tour, Wicked’s CinemaCon showing also included various unseen tidbits. Footage revealed during the presentation reportedly showed Elphaba beginning her campaign to expose the Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum) and snippets of the original Wizard of Oz storyline intersecting with that of Wicked. That latter element was only teased in part one, and speculation is still rampant as to who will take on the role of Dorothy in For Good. 

First teaser for ‘WICKED: FOR GOOD’ at #CinemaCon shows Glinda & Elphaba reuniting, Elphaba starting her campaign to expose the Wizard, snippets of the original storyline of ‘Wizard of Oz’ intersecting

See the full footage description: https://t.co/BbLDfisoG5 pic.twitter.com/cS07F51D9O

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 3, 2025

While it’s arguably the crown jewel, Wicked wasn’t the only Universal movie promoted by the studio at CinemaCon. The company also showed off the Jurassic World: Rebirth, and announced to much fanfare that How To Train Your Dragon is getting a live-action remake. Still, it’s Grande and her tissues that produced the buzziest moment.

Cynthia Erivo inevitably knows how talented she is, but that doesn’t mean every role she gets from here on out is going to be handed to her on a silver platter.

The Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee became an overnight sensation following her transcendent performance in Wicked, a role that many believe only Wicked: For Good can top when it arrives in theaters Nov. 21. Capitalizing on her much-deserved moment in the spotlight, Erivo has wasted no time setting her sights on another iconic role she’d love to play: Ororo Munroe, aka the weather-controlling X-Woman known as Storm. With Marvel set to bring a new wave of X-Men into the MCU any moment now, it’s the perfect time for her to toss her name into Kevin Feige’s hat.

Unfortunately for Erivo, she’s not the only Grammy winner who wants to hurl lightning and electrocute evil amphibians. A fellow musician has decided to put herself in the running, with a different take on the role than what Erivo might have envisioned. There are so many talented actresses who can play Storm as well as her fellow X-Men and women. If it does come down to Erivo and her new competitor, who will actually achieve liftoff?

Who else wants to play Marvel’s new Storm?

Fellow Grammy winner SZA has revealed that she would love to play electric mutant Storm, too ⏤ and she wants her portrayal to be “gnarly.” During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, she revealed that while she didn’t necessarily see a future in acting, there’s one reason why on-screen heroism is her calling.

“I would love to be a superhero!” she announced after Hudson told the studio audience she could see SZA playing one. “My dad, he collects first-edition comics, so he has first-edition Thor comics and Silver Surfer just in the basement. So I grew up, like, super being into Marvel and DC.” Although Silver Surfer was the first character she said she’d love to play, she quickly confirmed what she’d want to do if given the chance to play Storm.

“But I was thinking, you know how Storm has an origin story">The Fantastic Four: First Steps. So how immersed in Marvel are we really, SZA? *cheeky side-eye emoji*

Musicals are still a niche genre, so it’s completely understandable if you haven’t seen Wicked on stage. However, now that it’s a major motion picture, there’s no excuse not to catch what is arguably the biggest movie of the last few months. And if you surprisingly missed its extended run in theaters, fear not, because Wicked is finally heading to streaming. 

Ever since its release, the popularity and success of Wicked has been monumental. Defying gravity, if you will. From its iconic press tour, meme-worthy interviews, and Jonathan Bailey’s suave demeanor to the movie’s box office smashing theatrical run, Wicked has kept audiences entertained for months on end. Now, fans and newbies can enjoy it from the comfort of their homes. 

It’s almost time for a magical streaming debut 

Starting Mar. 21, Wicked: Part 1 will be available to stream on Peacock. The movie was previously available for rent on Prime Video, but now all you’ll need is a Peacock subscription. The streaming release is coming at the perfect time as well. Now that awards season is over, anticipation for Wicked: For Good is officially underway. 

We can’t wait for Wicked: For Good 

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo might have dropped some lowkey teasers for Wicked: For Good with their opening performance at the Oscars. The pair of besties performed three songs in total, and each of them held weight. Grande kicked off the performance with a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. Judy Garland sang this song as Dorothy Gale in the movie adaptation, and it won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1940. Following this, Erivo took the stage with a rendition of “Home” from The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical, another Oz adaptation. The Wiz is particularly relevant and stands out among Oz adaptations because it retells the story of The Wizard of Oz through the context of African-American culture, and stars an all-Black cast. 

After this, both women came together to sing the show-stopping duet, “Defying Gravity.” The song is the anthem of Wicked in pop culture, and Erivo’s angelic riff at the end has been attempted by everyone from TikTok influencers, to Keke Palmer. But, what does this have to do with Wicked: For Good?

A brand new interpretation 

Grande’s choice of song might give us an insight into some changes that might be made in the Wicked sequel. There are rumors that Wicked: For Good will borrow some plot points from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to give more context to the story. There has also been constant online debate on whether Dorothy will have a bigger part in the sequel than she did in the musical. If she does, then Grande’s song choice holds more significance. 

As for Erivo’s choice, as a Black woman in the world of Oz, The Wiz is an important part of her history and references. Erivo will also be collaborating with the film’s musical team to create a new song for Elphaba in the sequel. Additionally, a second original song will be made for Glinda. So, even if you know everything about Wicked, there are still some things to look forward to in the sequel. 

Here’s the thing about awards that people may not understand: the purpose of an award is not to bestow an honor upon the person, but for the award’s prestige to be elevated on of the recipient’s actions or achievements. Cillian Murphy is not a better actor because he has an Oscar; the Oscar is a better award because Cillian Murphy won it last year.

And so when we see an award, the most honest thing we can do is focus on the actions that earned the recipient that award, and the trail blazed by Cynthia Erivo — the Wicked leading lady who’s set to be honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 36th GLAAD Media Awards next month — is a remarkable one indeed.

Per a statement from GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis to the The Hollywood Reporter, Erivo’s proactive presence on stage, screen, and the scenes behind and beyond them has made her more than deserving of recognition for the award, whose previous recipients include Laverne Cox, Jeremy Pope, Jim Parsons, and Wanda Sykes.

The award is presented to an “LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues.”

Cynthia Erivo’s one-of-a-kind voice has been an integral part of accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people since she came on the scene over a decade ago. Her legacy is defined not by her numerous accolades and honors but by how with each new platform and milestone, she continues to show up for Black, queer and other marginalized peoples amid her well-deserved success,

Wicked, which was nominated for a whopping 10 Academy Awards last month — including one for Best Picture and a Best Actress nod for Erivo herself — is the latest of these platform-milestones from which Erivo is showing up for marginalized people. The film deals very heavily in social justice, from the bigoted bullying in schoolyards all the way to the violent fascism enforced by the megalomaniacal Donald Tru – I mean, Wizard of Oz.

Despite these heavy topics, Wicked was and continues to be a bastion of escapism from the tumultuous state of the world, thanks to its mandate of colorful and complex musical numbers, and unwavering acceptance for folks of all colors, creeds, ability, and magical proficiencies. Its cultural impact and beefy box office haul were no coincidences.

So while the Stephen F. Kolzak Award seeks to honor more than a great cinematic performance that the Oscar acknowledges, Wicked shows us that the art Erivo chooses to commit to is inseparable from the harbored values that have earned her this honorary GLAAD award in the first place. Erivo, a Black, queer artist, has been at the forefront of diverse storytelling for close to a decade now, with The Color Purple, Harriet, and now Wicked among her most prominent projects. The bravery with which she willingly(?) participated in Chaos Walking can’t be ignored either.

Jokes aside, it’s no insignificant thing to see an artist like Erivo become even more decorated, and though she’s hardly the favorite for Best Actress, her continued visibility is a win for the world at large.

It’s been nearly three months since its debut in cinemas, and Wicked‘s popu-lahrity is still going as strong as expected. Its $723 million box office deadlift has since been boosted by a whopping 10 Academy Award nominations, among them a Best Actress and Best ing Actress nod for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, respectively.

It’s not terribly difficult to see why; the duo’s chemistry as Elphaba and Glinda could turn salt water into ice cream. The pair is so beloved, in fact, that Elphaba-Glinda fanfiction has become something of a lucrative currency, much to the shock of Grande herself, per her recent profile on The Hollywood Reporter.

… people think we’re secretly married… the Gelphie stuff… I wish I could unsee some things. I mean, wow, I had a feeling, but I didn’t know it would be on this scale or this graphic.

“Gelphie,” in this case, being the ship name of Elphaba and Glinda. A ship name, meanwhile, being a combination of two characters’ names to denote romance-driven fan stories involving said characters. Those familiar with the high seas of fanfiction websites will know that already; an advantage that Grande, evidently, did not have when she signed on for an adaptation of one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

The pop star-turned-Oscar-nominee alludes to some “graphic” material that she wishes she could “unsee,” but we’ll spare you the speculation on what she specifically means there. One thing is for sure, though; the online obsession with Glinda and Elphaba is but one ornament on the tree that is Wicked‘s cultural significance, which itself is likely playing no small part in its awards season run.

Indeed, the preceding stage musical — an adaptation of the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, itself based on L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz — teed Wicked up for a lot of love early on, first from Maguire himself, and then from the likes of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originated the roles of Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway. Grande’s casting no doubt brought the film a lot of attention from her musical fanbase as well.

Then TikTok pounced on the hype, with Wicked fans old and new quickly flooding the algorithm with a plethora of songs and dances from the film. More recently, per EOnline, Taylor Swift — who is, of course, capable of shifting the entertainment industry with a tweet — recreated the “holding space” TikTok trend with Cynthia Erivo at the 2025 Grammy Awards, further proving the chokehold that Jon M. Chu’s fantasy musical has on the world.

And now, it’s the Oscars broadcast that stand to benefit from Wicked‘s prominence most of all. What better way to have viewers tune in to your ceremony than by making sure the internet’s favorite movie is well-represented among the nominees? Not to discredit Wicked‘s significant technical achievements nor the inch-perfect character work from Grande and Erivo, of course, but we mustn’t forget that the Academy once believed that Top Gun: Maverick deserved a Best Picture nomination over Till and The Woman King, despite its most notable merit being its $1.49 billion box office haul.

In short, no, Grande and Erivo are not secretly-or-otherwise married, and it’s entirely possible that the Academy isn’t a sincere body. We are, therefore, much better off treating the Oscars as a fun, celebratory event rather than an arbiter of who’s better than who. That’s probably how the Munchkins treat Oz’s various award shows.

The X-Men are coming… Eventually! Right now, Marvel is focused on factoring the Fantastic Four into the MCU, a plotline that will kick off in this summer’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and then continue in Avengers: Doomsday when the foursome encounter their nemesis, Doctor Doom. After that, it’ll finally be time for the Children of the Atom to take charge — rumors have long stated that the Multiverse Saga will be followed by the Mutant Saga.

As things currently stand, screenwriter Michael Lesslie is the only creative officially connected to the incoming X-Men reboot, but enough reports have been swirling lately to suggest Marvel is ramping things up behind the scenes. A recent rumor claimed that Kevin Feige isn’t letting go of recent returnees the Russos after Secret Wars and has signed them up to “oversee” the new X-Men (presumably in a producing capacity rather than directing).

When it comes to the cast, it’s too soon to tell, but numerous actors have already been linked to certain characters, thereby whetting our appetites for what the MCU’s own X-Men line-up might look like. These are just rumors, but who knows, maybe when it comes time for Feige to use Cerebro to cast the film he’ll track down some of these talents. To us, our X-Men?

Cynthia Erivo (Storm)

In the wake of Wicked Mania, Cynthia Erivo was rumored to have “actual interest” in playing Storm in Marvel’s X-Men reboot. This was ultimately proven true when the Elphaba actress itted as much in a recent interview. “I really want to play Storm,” Erivo said, unequivocally. “I know it sounds frivolous, but I think we haven’t uncovered how grand she is and all of that inner turmoil that she has. So I think there’s a world in which we could do something with that.” If you care to find her, look to the thunderous skies.

Ayo Edebiri (Storm)

On the other hand, Marvel reportedly isn’t putting all its Ororo Munroe eggs in one actress, as at least two more stars have been rumored to be in the running for the coveted role. Erivo had better watch out because The Bear veteran and all-round Irish icon Ayo Edebiri has also been said to be circling the character. Interestingly, Edebiri was originally cast in Thunderbolts* before the 2023 strikes delays caused her to, well, bolt.

DeWanda Wise (Storm)

And that’s still not it for Storm contenders. Much like Edebiri, DeWanda Wise is another one that got away from the MCU, as Wise was originally hired as Maria Rambeau in Captain Marvel before scheduling conflicts meant she had to cede the role to Lashana Lynch. Could the Jurassic World: Dominion actress make her belated Marvel debut as Storm, or will Erivo or Edebiri (or someone unknown) beat her to it?

Sadie Sink (Jean Grey)

Outside of David Harbour, it’s surprising that none of the mega-popular Stranger Things cast have ended up in the MCU to date, so in many ways it would make sense for Marvel to snap up Sadie Sink for its X-Men movie as soon as she wraps the final season of the Netflix hit. Sink would be a very obvious casting for a young Jean Grey, however, so this particular rumor may well be more fan-cast fiction than fact.

Jack Champion (Cyclops)

Fun fact: Avatar: The Way of Water and Scream VII star Jack Champion has already appeared in the MCU… In Avengers: Endgame, he’s credited for the all-important role of “Kid on Bike.” Maybe in a few years, fans will be bugging Feige to retcon this bicycling boy as a young Scott Summers, assuming this rumor he could be playing Cyclops really is true.

Harris Dickinson (Cyclops)

On the other hand, Harris Dickinson is also said to be in reaching distance of donning Cyke’s visor. The Iron Claw actor certainly would fit the more traditional look and build of the X-Mean’s field leader, but it should be pointed out that the scoopers are having a civil war over his potential MCU involvement — with some saying he is in the running and others saying he’s not — so take an extra big pinch of salt when it comes to this one.

Gambit (Unknown)

Bad news, Channing Tatum lovers, it seems Marvel isn’t interested in bringing the Deadpool & Wolverine favorite back to play the prime Gambit in the MCU. Insider Daniel Richtman reports that the studio is opening the doors to casting a new actor as Remy LeBeau. If that’s true, someone is about to make a name for themselves here.

Kitty Pryde (Unknown)

The same source likewise claims that Marvel is in the process of casting the part of Kitty Pryde. It’s about time that Shadowcat came back to the big screen, as we haven’t seen Kitty in live-action since 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, but it’s currently anyone’s guess who could play her. Personal request: Marvel, if Kitty’s pet dragon Lockheed could her this time that would be fab (Lockheed didn’t deserve to get trapped in The New Mutants).

It’s award show season and things are getting pretty heated with the Oscars looming large on the horizon. Industry award shows are a delicate balance of industry recognition, publicity, and glitz, and nobody — absolutely no one — wants to go away without a nomination.

Wicked was one of the major movies of the year, and its leading lady Cynthia Erivo has high hopes for winning the coveted EGOT — an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony — a gargantuan task made possible by her nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Elphaba Thropp. Wicked had already been shortlisted for 4 Oscars, but the official nomination is sure to have been “Popular” with Erivo.

Wicked gave legions of fans, new and old, a different look into the wonderful world of Oz by bringing it to the big screen. Erivo’s co-star, singer and actress Ariana Grande, has already won several awards for her performance as Glinda, and Wicked mania has well and truly spread throughout the world. It’s fair to say that as movie musicals go, Wicked is up there with the best of them, bringing the cultural phenomenon that is the Wicked musical to gravity-defying new heights.

Given the way the movie slotted itself firmly into the cultural landscape, it’s unsurprising that Wicked has picked up so many awards and nominations, although there are apparently some who aren’t exactly “rejoicified” at its attention. For example, director Jacques Audiard looked particularly unhappy with Cynthia Erivo’s nomination for Best Actress.

Audiard directed Emilia Pérez, a musical crime comedy film centered around the titular character Emilia, a former cartel boss and her story of gender transition. The film was released to a good critical reception in the U.S. and Europe but met a lesser welcome in Mexico for a number of reasons, including its use of stereotypes, which was pointed out by Mexican screenwriter Héctor Guillén who called out the film for its “Racist Euro Centrist Mockery”.

Despite its varied reception, the film has won “glory” at the Golden Globes, and its leading lady Karla Sofia Gascón is the first transgender actress to be nominated for the coveted Academy Award for Best Actress, putting trans visibility front and center. Audiard and the cast of Emilia Pérez should be justifiably pleased with their nominations after the hard work of the cast and crew, but in scenes described as “bitter and unprofessional,” Audiard can be seen derisively shaking his head at Cynthia Erivo’s own nomination for Best Actress.

Posted to X by a Wicked fan , the video attracted a lot of comments in of Wicked and Erivo, along with many critical of Emilia Pérez — including posts packaging Héctor Guillén’s scathing criticism of the movie into an easily digestible image.

The Oscars are big business in the industry and tensions are running high, so a bit of conflict is understandable. Yet any suggestion that Erivo doesn’t deserve her nomination is bound to displease many, as her grounded portrayal of Elphaba Thropp gave the character depth and nuance while her sensational vocals helped catapult Wicked to massive critical and commercial success. It’s one thing to be ive of your own movie and an actress you’ve worked closely with on a ion project, but it’s something else entirely to be dismissive towards another actress. It’s just about learning and accepting that it’s more than possible to build someone up without tearing someone else down.

In 2024, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo transformed into the most unbelievable Glinda and Elphaba in Wicked, winning the hearts of the original 2003 Broadway fans but also many others around the globe.

Longtime fans of the IP, the two embarked on a press tour that included method dressing, adapting their characters’ styles to promote the films like the characters. This eventually came with its criticism, and the two stars are now the latest victims of the fashion police.

Grande, internationally known for her pop star persona, managed to lose herself in a sea of pink as she fully transformed into Glinda the Good Witch. The adaptation was a dream come true for Grande, who has been manifesting the role since she was young. Getting to play Glinda changed her style completely from the daring, sleek-ponytailed pop star into a delicate, pink-loving actress.

The wonderful Erivo further proved her talents as she took the role of Elphaba. With The Oscar-nominated actress has already proven her skills in 2019’s Harriet, for which she also wrote an original song, and has a history with musicals, both on West End and Broadway. Also a longtime fan of Wicked, Erivo not only did Elphaba justice but she exceeded expectations. However, her and Grande’s vulnerability and care for the characters, as well as their method dressing, were often criticized.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s latest styles failed to defy gravity, according to the fashion police

On Jan. 7, the National Board of Review Awards gathered the stars of the most popular films of 2024. It also held space for the hit musical Wicked, as it celebrated the cast and director, offering it the Best Film and Best Director, and a special award for the creative collaboration of Grande and Erivo, and, this time, Vin Diesel wasn’t here to “tsk” at the reveal. Ryan Reynolds raved over Jonathan Bailey instead.

For the occasion, it was more than expected for the two stars to dress up, and they returned to their method dressing — pink for Grande, dark for Erivo.

Grande was back to baby pink in a custom Loewe gown. The satin columb gown had an open-back and spaghetti straps, giving a retro vibe thanks to the matching satin shawl she kept around her. She paired the look with white Loewe Toy pumps, going for pink makeup with her signature defined eyelashes and pink lips, but with faded-out eyebrows and her hair in a low ponytail with a side part and side bangs.

The result wasn’t a hit with the fashion police. People agreed that the outfit itself was okay, but their grievances were with her makeup. “Whoever is doing her makeup is washing her out and those eyebrows always make her look like she’s about to cry,” wrote a follower. “I just really hate her make up and it’s the same one for months.” Another begged, “Please give the girl some color!”

Erivo was also in a custom Loewe outfit, but no one complained about the lack of color about her outfit, as it was a black dress with silver prints. However, the boning structure of the dress wasn’t a hit with many people, as the lower side of the dress made her look like a “lamp,” according to fans. “it’s giving vintage lamp,” said one follower. “This needs to be green so it can look like a Christmas tree,” wrote another.

Speaking of Erivo’s “lamp” dress, Grande recently stepped up in a gown that made everyone scream “Aubrey Hepburn.” Although the Louis Vuitton dress was clearly something, fans thought she looked like a “deflated volleyball.”

Although people are already over Erivo and Grande’s method dressing, the two stars and their stylists, Jason Bolden and Mimi Cuttrell, respectively, have been at the top of their game and the two have successfully drawn attention on every red carpet. So, when you think about it, isn’t that the ultimate goal?

The MCU is always expanding and with each new story told on screen, executives at Disney are on the hunt for talented actors to fill the seemingly endless assortment of roles.

Now, one of 2024’s most sought-after stars, Cynthia Erivo, has tossed her name into the discussion around the next chapter of the MCU. Erivo is an actress who has made plenty of appearances in film and television over the years, however, her star power has grown brightest in recent months after her leading role in the film adaption of the hit Broadway musical, Wicked.

Speaking to the National Board of Review, Ervio shared her ultimate dream role which, if it ever came to fruition, would see her welcome more X-Men characters into the MCU. The actress says that if there’s one role she could have next, it would be as Storm.

“I really want to play Storm. I know it sounds frivolous but I think we really haven’t uncovered how grand she is and all of that inner-turmoil that she has so, I think there’s a world where we can do something like that.”

Given that the MCU is inevitably going to introduce more X-Men characters into its ranks, Storm seems like a character that absolutely will show up at some point. With Erivo’s talents, she could very well be a great choice to bring this iconic comic book character to screens for the MCU era.

If she were to be given the opportunity, Erivo would be the third actress to bring Storm to the screen in live-action form. The first Storm was Halle Berry in the early 2000s X-Men movies, but the character was played by Alexandra Shipp in the more recent movies X-Men: Apocalypse and X-Men: Dark Phoenix.

Of course, there’s no way of knowing what Disney’s plans for the character would be if she was added to the MCU, or whether they’d go for a younger or older version of the iconic superhero.

With the success of Wicked, casting Erivo as someone in the MCU would seem like a slam dunk, even if that character isn’t Storm. Wicked has done incredible numbers at the box office, to the point that it is officially the most successful Broadway film adaptation ever — and as of right now, it has made more than $680 million globally. The film’s sequel is set to be released later this year, so expect to see the franchise everywhere once again towards the tail-end of 2025.

It’s always great to see talented actors sharing their desire to the MCU, and in an era where there are plenty of new characters being added to the mix, vocalizing their dream role could very well be what’s needed to make it happen. The actress already mastered the power of flight for her role as Elphaba, so why shouldn’t she take to the skies once more as Storm?

Ultimately, there’s no indication of if or when Storm would be added to the MCU should that be something that Disney is looking to do, but hopefully when it does, the role is given to a star as talented as Erivo. If you haven’t yet seen Wicked you can still catch the movie in theaters, but now it’s also available to rent and buy digitally.

Move over veterans, a new favorite has emerged on the Golden Globes red carpet, and she’s as cute as a button! Cesily Collette Taylor, who plays young Nessarose in the Wicked movie, completely stole the spotlight at the 82nd Annual Golden Globes.

While the awards themselves are meant to honor Hollywood’s best, it was Cesily’s charm, cuteness, and enthusiasm that had everyone buzzing. She was just happy to be there! The adorable actress looked like a superstar-in-the-making in her polka dot, puffy sleeve dress. Adding to the cuteness overload were her fabulous curls and the unmistakable joy she radiated. She was a true red-carpet natural.

For her first big Hollywood event since stealing hearts at the Wicked premiere, Cesily nailed it, accessorizing her look with the essentials for a night to . The internet quickly agreed: this little Nessarose was definitely the queen of the night.

Behind the scenes with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo

Chatting with ET’s Nischelle Turner, Cesily couldn’t hide her excitement about working alongside her co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. She shared: “I saw Ariana and Cynthia in the movie, and I thought they were great. Ariana was a great singer and they made me happy.”

Her iration for her cast mates was genuine and refreshing, giving fans a glimpse into her delightful personality. But what truly stole the show was when she was asked by Drew Afualo about her favorite part of filming Wicked. Cesily’s answer was as straightforward as possible: “Being with Elphaba and being in my wheelchair.”

The young actress’s enthusiasm for her role and her character’s journey shows just how much she’s embraced this opportunity. Of course, it wasn’t just the industry insiders who fell for Cesily’s charm. Videos of her Golden Globes appearance have gone viral, and social media has been filled with an outpouring of love and . One fan summed it up perfectly: “I want the WORLD for this baby and NOTHING less, and she better get everything she wants.” Another gushed, “Her voice is the cutest; she’s just so fabulous.”

A role that’s placed her in the spotlight

In Wicked, Cesily plays young Nessarose, the younger version of Marissa Bode’s character. While the adult Nessarose is a layered and emotional role, Cesily brought innocence and depth to the younger version, making it clear she’s a star in the making. Her performance has been a hit with fans and critics alike, who’ve praised her ability to connect with audiences in such a heartfelt way. Even Hollywood heavyweights have taken notice of Cesily’s talent. None other than Jamie Foxx stopped her during her red-carpet interview to gush over her performance. “You were amazing in that movie,” he told her, leaving the young actress beaming. With an endorsement like that, it’s safe to say Cesily’s future in Hollywood looks bright.

It’s not every day that a newcomer, especially one as young as Cesily, makes such an impact at a major Hollywood event. But from her enchanting performance in Wicked to her show-stealing awards season debut, Cesily has proven she’s no ordinary starlet. She’s a bright light, bringing joy, authenticity, and talent wherever she goes. As the world continues to fall in love with Cesily, it’s clear she’s just getting started.