Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo talk special sisterhood and Wicked’s end at S’pore movie premiere
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Ariana Grande (left) and Cynthia Erivo arriving for the premiere of Wicked: For Good at Universal Studios Singapore on Nov 13.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
SINGAPORE – The dynamic duo have captured hearts with their strong friendship that shone through both on- and off-screen throughout film franchise Wicked’s two-year press tour.
And at the Singapore premiere of the movie sequel Wicked: For Good held at Universal Studios Singapore in Resorts World Sentosa on the night of Nov 13, leading ladies Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo showed up holding hands to take questions from The Straits Times on the yellow carpet, its colour a nod to the Land of Oz’s Yellow Brick Road.
They reprise their roles as Glinda The Good and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West respectively in the follow-up film, which opens in Singapore cinemas on Nov 20.
(From left) Michelle Yeoh, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum and director Jon M. Chu at the handprint ceremony at the premiere for Wicked: For Good at Universal Studios Singapore on Nov 13.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Asked what was the moment each realised she had found a lifelong sister in the other, American actress-singer Grande replied: “From the very beginning. It’s been very special.”
Chiming in, British actress-singer Erivo, 38, added: “I think that we’ve had many moments. The time that we spent getting to know each other, learning about each other and being there for each other. I think that’s what’s telling us we’re a family.”
Their Oz journey is “not ending”, though, insisted Grande, 32, emphatically. “It’s going to be with us forever. We’re grateful. And we’re grateful to be in Singapore.”
Also present were Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible, dean of sorcery studies at the fictional Shiz University and the film’s antagonist; and American actor Jeff Goldblum, who plays The Wizard of Oz.
Michelle Yeoh interacting with fans along the yellow carpet during the premiere of Wicked: For Good at Universal Studios Singapore on Nov 13.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Drawing parallels with another of her movies, the 2018 romcom film Crazy Rich Asians, Yeoh, 63, said: “I don’t think I’m ever going to miss Wicked because it’s always going to be in my heart. And I think – just like with Crazy Rich Asians – we all still stay in touch. So, I don’t think it will be different from my Oz family.”
On his villainous character, Goldblum, as whimsical as his reputation, said: “If wicked means naughty things, I do a very bad thing – which is to help along this ‘cruelty to animals’ operation.
Jeff Goldblum meeting fans along the yellow carpet during the premiere of Wicked: For Good at Universal Studios Singapore on Nov 13.
ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
“But maybe I learn my lesson from it, you know,” the 73-year-old added, teasing The Wizard’s fate in the film. “There are many secrets inside this complicated – somewhat good, somewhat bad – guy, who in the end gets his comeuppance.”
Asked which Wicked song he would listen to for the rest of his life if he had to choose only one, the towering veteran responded: “I like anything that Ariana and Cynthia sing together. I like For Good, that ‘handprint on my heart’ song. Maybe that’s the one.”
Singapore was the only Asian stop in Wicked: For Good’s international promotional tour, which also travelled to Sao Paulo, Paris and London, and will end in New York City on Nov 17.
