Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande Discuss Challenges After Premiere Incident

LOS ANGELES, CA — Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande opened up about the challenges they faced promoting their film “Wicked: For Good” during a Q&A session at the Saban Media Center on Sunday night. Following a recent incident at the film’s premiere in Singapore, both actresses reflected on their emotional journeys associated with their roles.

Erivo stated, “We have come through some shit,” acknowledging the difficulties they encountered while attending the film festival. Her remarks followed an event where a man jumped a barricade and approached Grande on the yellow brick carpet. Erivo quickly intervened, pushing the man away and ensuring Grande’s safety.

The man, identified as 26-year-old Johnson Wen from Australia, was arrested and charged with being a public nuisance. Wen is known for his social media presence under the handle “Pyjama Man,” where he shares videos attempting to interact with celebrities.

During the emotional session moderated by Variety, Erivo, who portrays Elphaba, reflected on her personal growth through the role. She recalled finding comfort in the music of “Wicked” before ever seeing the production, stating, “I had not seen the musical. I saw it when I was 25, and that place that made me feel safe, I ended up being in.”

Grande, playing Glinda, expressed profound emotions about her character’s journey, admitting she felt disconnected from acting prior to this role. “It really felt like safe again to fall in love with creating,” she shared, teary-eyed.

Both actresses spoke highly of their collaboration and acknowledged the strong bond formed on set under director Jon M. Chu’s guidance. Erivo called Chu and the cast an “unusually tight-knit family,” while Grande referred to Erivo as “a lifelong sister.”

When discussing their potential farewell to the characters, Grande expressed, “These characters will be a part of our hearts always. They’ve changed our lives irrevocably and permanently.”

The film, which continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda navigating friendship and power, is also generating Oscar buzz ahead of this awards season.