Key Highlights
- Cynthia Erivo channels her character Elphaba in a custom Balenciaga gown at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good.
- The actress skipped interviews but posed for photos with costar Ariana Grande.
- Eregoned to appear on red carpet due to voice loss, confirmed by Universal.
- Wicked: For Good picks up after events from part one and features new differences in the sequel’s plot.
Cynthia Erivo Channels Elphaba for Wicked: For Good Premiere
The Oscar-nominated actress, 38, made a grand entrance at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good. Erivo’s custom Balenciaga look was a nod to her character Elphaba, reconfirming that her method-dressing approach remains top-notch. The ensemble featured a black gown with a feather-trimmed turtleneck cape and a pleated drop waist skirt that showcased a train.
She completed the look with oversized mask butterfly sunglasses and diamond jewels.
“She’s a Real Witch in Custom @balenciaga by @pppiccioli 🖤,” her stylist Jason Bolden wrote on Instagram, highlighting Erivo’s dedication to embodying Elphaba both on and off stage. The actress and singer channeled their characters with such authenticity that the connection between Glinda (played by Ariana Grande) and Elphaba remains steadfast, even when working together behind-the-scenes.
Red Carpet Absence Due to Voice Loss
Eregoned to the red carpet due to a voice loss earlier in the day. Universal confirmed that Erivo was not feeling well enough to participate in interviews at the event’s start on November 17, 2025. Instead, she and Grande walked the red carpet together, choosing to focus on their roles as Glinda and Elphaba respectively.
The decision to skip interviews was announced a few hours before the event’s start, following a series of unfortunate events.
Ariana Grande had recently been attacked by a man on the red carpet of the Singapore premiere, adding to the urgency of the situation. Erivo’s absence from interviews did not detract from her presence on the red carpet, as fans and media alike were captivated by her transformation into Elphaba.
Continuing Method-Dressing Approach
The connection between Grande and Erivo’s characters is at the core of Wicked: For Good. The sequel picks up after events from Wicked: Part One, when a defiant Elphaba has been branded Oz’s enemy by the Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum) and Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh). Despite the challenges their characters face, Erivo and Grande’s on-screen chemistry remains strong, especially during musical numbers where they sing together.
Wicked: For Good is set to release in theaters on November 21, 2025.
The film promises to explore new dimensions of the witches of Oz and their complex relationship. The premiere in New York City was just one stop in a series of promotional events leading up to its theatrical debut.
The event also featured other Wicked: For Good cast members such as Jonathan Bailey, Colman Domingo, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, and Michelle Yeoh, who attended the premiere alongside director Jon M. Chu. The anticipation for the film continues to grow as audiences look forward to seeing how this beloved story concludes.
