Cynthia Erivo Reflects on Wicked’s Impactful Legacy and Fan Reactions

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The movie Wicked: For Good opened in theaters this weekend and quickly became a box office hit. This adaptation of the popular Wicked Broadway musical, and a sequel to the first film, stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The story follows Elphaba after she challenges the Wizard of Oz (played by Jeff Goldblum) and commits herself to protecting the Animals of Oz.

The movie stars Ariana Grande as Glinda, who used to be Elphaba’s closest friend but eventually sides with the Wizard when he promises her everything she’s ever desired. Elphaba and Glinda are central to the story of Wicked, and audiences have become invested in their complex relationship and how they influence one another.

Eriveo recently shared her thoughts on the strong connection fans have made with the characters in the films. She also expressed deep gratitude for the people who helped bring the project to life, saying she feels incredibly lucky to have been a part of it. She described the experience as ‘the ride of a lifetime’.

She then revealed a heartwarming interaction she had with young fan:

I was giving a presentation last night when a young woman stood up and came up to the stage. She told me that one of my characters had really impacted her life, helping her feel more confident, even though she used to be scared.

Erivo shared that the countless stories she’s heard from viewers of the work have deeply affected her. She feels incredibly honored to be part of something that resonates with people so powerfully, and believes that connection is what she’ll remember most for years to come.

Playing Elphaba wasn’t just a fun experience for Erivo; it showed her the powerful impact her performances can have on people. She realized that work like this can genuinely change how people feel about themselves and others, and she finds that incredibly meaningful.

To mark the release of For Good, Cynthia Erivo shared a heartfelt goodbye to her role as Elphaba on Instagram. She wrote that she could fill pages – with essays, poems, or even Shakespearean writing – describing how meaningful the experience has been and the lessons she’s learned. She added that she could attempt to measure the love she’s received and the stories she’s heard, but that any number or words would fall short of truly capturing it all.

The singer concluded by saying, “I’ll just say this: take my hand and walk with me to the very end of this golden path, and maybe the things I’ve discovered along the way will bring you happiness too. Thank you for allowing me to play the role of Elphaba.”

Though Elphaba’s journey has concluded, Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of the character has deeply resonated with audiences. Plus, the show’s composer, Stephen Schwartz, has hinted that he might not be finished with the world of Oz, suggesting there could be more Wicked stories to come.

WIcked: For Goodis now playing in theaters.

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2025-11-23 19:09