Cynthia Erivo Gets Emotional Reflecting on Wicked’s Lasting Legacy

Cynthia Erivo recently reflected on her journey with Wicked in an emotional conversation that brought together the film’s leading stars and the original Broadway icons who helped define the musical’s legacy. Sitting beside Ariana Grande, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, Erivo grew visibly emotional as she described how deeply their performances had shaped her long before she was cast as Elphaba. She admitted that she had spent years listening to Menzel and Chenoweth and found it surreal to now sit next to the artists whose voices had inspired her dreams.

As Erivo became tearful, Grande and Chenoweth instinctively reached for each other’s hands, while Menzel placed a comforting arm around her. Chenoweth, equally moved, told Erivo that the legacy of Wicked lives on through her and the new generation stepping into the beloved story. She explained that every performer hopes the work they create will continue to inspire others, and witnessing that happen through the film adaptation was especially meaningful. Erivo thanked both original stars for creating a world that allowed her to experience a lifelong dream, and all four performers acknowledged how rare it was to share such a personal moment together. Menzel lightheartedly eased the atmosphere by joking that she was simply grateful they were “still alive” to witness how far the story had traveled.

Erivo also revealed that some of the most powerful moments in the film’s farewell sequence, For Good, were completely unplanned. While shooting the emotional final exchange between Elphaba and Glinda, she and Ariana Grande continued acting even after the song ended. Director Jon M. Chu quietly allowed the camera to keep rolling, capturing spontaneous lines such as “What’s going on?” and the heartfelt “I love you”—dialogue that was never written into the script. Erivo said these improvised moments captured the raw truth of how the two characters might genuinely say goodbye.

Following the completion of the film, Erivo shared a personal message with fans, expressing her gratitude for the chance to portray Elphaba. She wrote that the role had changed her profoundly and thanked audiences for accepting her interpretation of one of musical theatre’s most iconic characters.

Through these deeply human moments—both behind the scenes and within the film—Wicked continues to show why it remains a story that resonates across generations. The emotional connection between its original stars and the current cast reinforces the timeless impact of a tale that continues to inspire, transform and endure.