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Culture November 20, 2025

Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo wrap 'Wicked' press tour: What to know about the film

WATCH: Jon M. Chu opens up about ‘Wicked 2’

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have reached the end of the yellow brick road. 

The duo stepped out for the New York City premiere of "Wicked: For Good" earlier this week and have made television appearances leading up to the film's theatrical release on Friday. 

Grande and Erivo each also shared several posts on Instagram from the premiere and more. 

In a post on Wednesday, Grande shared a series of images of herself promoting the film on talk shows and holding Glinda's wand, as well as a photo of her and director Jon M. Chu

Erivo also shared a few moments from the press tour in an Instagram post Thursday. 

Before "Wicked: For Good" lands in theaters Friday, read on for everything you need to know about the press tour, film and more.

How to watch 'Wicked: For Good'

"Wicked: For Good" is scheduled to hi theaters Friday, Nov. 21, but several theaters are already showing the film now. 

Some theaters like AMC are also hosting double feature screenings for "Wicked" and "Wicked: For Good."

What is 'Wicked: For Good' about?

The movie will pick up after the first film, which premiered in November 2024, with Erivo and Grande returning as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. It will follow their journey working to mend their friendship to save Oz, for good. 

Cinematographer Alice Brooks said the second film will have a slightly different look than the first. 

"The first movie glows in this effervescent daylight and the second movie has this maturity and density and is steeped in shadow and I'm very excited for people to see the second half of our film," Brooks told "Good Morning America" at the 2025 Governors Awards on Sunday. 

Both installments of the feature films are based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 book, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," which was inspired by L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." 

Who stars in 'Wicked: For Good?'

In addition to Erivo and Grande, returning cast members include Jeff Goldblum as the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq and Marissa Bode as Nessarose. 

In October, it was announced that Colman Domingo will voice the Cowardly Lion.

What happened at the Singapore 'Wicked: For Good' premiere?

Grande had a scare in Singapore earlier this month when Jonathan Wen, a red carpet attendee, accosted her at the film's premiere at Universal Studios Singapore in Resorts World Sentosa on Nov. 13. 

According to footage of the incident, as Grande walked down the yellow carpet greeting fans, Wen appeared to jump over a barrier and run up to her before wrapping an arm around the actress, who appeared shocked by the interaction.

Erivo and Yeoh, who were walking with Grande on the carpet at the time, came to Grande's aid, working to separate the attendee from Grande as security rushed in. 

Wen was sentenced to nine days in jail in a Singapore court after pleading guilty to public nuisance charges. 

At a special screening of "Wicked: For Good" in Los Angeles over the weekend, Erivo seemingly addressed the incident, saying in a video shared by Entertainment Weekly, "We have come through some stuff in our lives, in our daily workings. I mean, f---, even this last week, let's be honest. For f---'s sake, we've had to really deal with some stuff."

Why didn't Erivo talk to press at the NYC premiere?

Hours before the film's New York City premiere on Nov. 17, Universal reps told the media that Erivo was "not feeling well and has lost her voice, therefore she and Ariana will not be doing interviews," according to Variety. 

The outlet reported that Grande had chosen to skip interviews in "solidarity with Erivo." Although they skipped the press line, the actresses still posed for photos on the carpet. 

The day prior, the duo, along with Chu, attended the 2025 Governors Awards in Los Angeles.

What have director Jon M. Chu and filmmakers said about working on 'Wicked?'

At the Governors Awards on Sunday, Chu reflected on his "Wicked" journey, telling "Good Morning America" that something he would always carry with him is audiences coming to the theater to see the films in "Wicked" style.

"I think seeing everybody come out to the theaters, inviting their friends and families and making creative things, whether that's clothing or art -- I think when you make movies and you are inspired by other movies, when seeing a whole new generation doing that with Oz and with Elphaba and Glinda and making them their superheroes, that to me is like the best gift you can have," he said. 

Brooks echoed Chu's takeaway about his "Wicked" experience and said that the children who have seen themselves in the film is something that will stay with her. 

"The other night, I was at a Q&A, and this little boy kept raising his hand, but no one called on him ... I went and I talked to him at the end of the Q&A and I knelt down next to him, and he couldn't look at me in the eye, he was so shy, and he had his little Elphaba doll, and he said, 'Thank you for making Elphaba. I'm Elphaba too,'" Brooks recalled.

"That's the amazing thing about 'Wicked,'" she added. "Every person can experience this movie, whether you're a 4-year-old child or a great-grandparent. You can watch it together or you can watch it by yourself. It's this community, communal experience watching 'Wicked,' and there's something in 'Wicked' that every single person can connect to." 

ABC News' Mason Leib contributed to this report.