“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo on building trust with Ariana Grande to bring Elphaba and Glinda to life
Cynthia Erivo wins critical acclaim as Elphaba in highly anticipated film adaptation “evil.” The film has already set a domestic box office record of $262 million, making it one of the most successful Broadway adaptations.
In an interview with “CBS Morning Show,”“ Erivo recounted how her friendship with singer and co-star Ariana Grande (who plays Glinda) became a big part of their on-screen chemistry. She revealed that despite how close they are now, they didn’t know each other before filming.
“She came to my house and we sat down and talked,” Erivo said. “We just talked about everything and nothing. We were there for a long time and it was very, very easy, so part of us knew, ‘Oh, this might, this might work. We’re going to be fine, I think We can get along and we will find it.”
Their connection deepened at a dinner hosted by director Jon M. Chu.
“Stephen Schwartz played piano and we sang ‘For Good’ together for the first time,” Erivo recalled. “Our voices are very different, but somehow they make sense together.”
The Tony Award winner said that to ensure their collaboration remained strong, Erivo and Grande struck a deal early on and committed to looking out for each other.
“Before we started shooting, we both had a conversation to make sure that we were taking care of each other, creating the space for each other that we needed, and giving each other what we needed, being generous to each other and other things in this matter, Because we know it’s a huge undertaking,” she said. “We know we have a huge responsibility, but we also know none of us can do it alone.”
Fans sing together Erivo is enthusiastic about movies in theaters.
“I’m never going to be that person who says, ‘Don’t sing.’ I think it’s really beautiful that people feel comfortable enough to sing along,” she said.
Erivo said a long-running version of “Wicked” will be released in theaters on Christmas Day.
The actress said playing Elphaba, who later became the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz,” required her to embrace her vulnerability.
“It means people get to see more of the person behind the character,” she shared. “It meant I had to allow myself to do that a little bit, which was scary, but I knew it would be meaningful. It was really the only way to play this character.”
Erivo reflects on her ‘Wicked’ journey, She said she remains proud of Elphaba’s courage to show her authenticity.
“You have to allow yourself to be a little bit adventurous… and it’s scary, but the only way to play her is to show more of me,” she said.
