Grab your brooms and cloaks, and prepare to be spellbound! The highly anticipated “Wicked” is set to premiere in theaters Nov. 22.
Starring Nickelodeon princess Ariana Grande and award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, the stunning outfits and impeccable performances in “Wicked” have already captured our imaginations.
“Wicked” made its Broadway debut in 2003, featuring Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda and Idina Menzel as Elphaba.
The beloved musical dives into the backstory of Oz’s notorious Wicked Witch of the West, revealing how every villain has their origin.
Over time, its innovative score, breathtaking vocals and gorgeous costumes accumulated a dedicated fanbase that simply could not get enough of the heartfelt story.
In 2019, fans rejoiced when Universal announced a movie adaptation of “Wicked.” However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed production, pushing the film's release back several years.
Now, in 2024, “Wicked” is finally within reach.
At the film’s Australian premiere Nov. 3, Grande and Erivo turned heads on the red carpet with outfits that paid homage to their characters. Erivo's midnight-black dress featured sharp angles, a cinched waist and a dramatic fanned hip. The triangle neckline highlighted her toned physique, while her jewelry — a lion-shaped choker encrusted with sparkling jewels — added an elegant touch
Erivo’s long, green stiletto nails gave a nod to Elphaba’s signature color. Grande contrasted her co-star with a cotton candy pink gown reminiscent of Glinda. With puffy, transparent sleeves and frills cascading down the front of her dress, Grande exuded the “girly-girl” aesthetic of the Good Witch of the South. Grande’s butterfly-shaped choker served as a delicate counterpart to Erivo’s bold lion motif.
The tour continued in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, where Erivo stunned in a neon-green latex dress and Grande turned heads in a pink checkered ensemble.
Erivo paired her skin-tight gown with a bedazzled silver choker adorned with a singular green gem in the center. Her three tattooed hearts are elegantly situated between her plunging neckline, giving viewers an opportunity to blend Erivo with her character.
Grande’s pale pink plaid-patterned dress resembled Dorothy’s blue checkered gingham from “The Wizard of Oz,” giving a nod to the prequel’s origin.
The duo brought their magic to Mexico City on Nov. 11 for the next premiere, striding down a radiant yellow carpet. Erivo mesmerized in a glittering black gown adorned with ethereal fabric draping over her head and hands artfully extending from her shoulders toward her face, while Grande floated in a dreamy light pink dress with a daring plunging neckline.
The tour then swept into New York Thursday, where Erivo was captivated by a sleek black dress with mesh long sleeves and a fishnet head covering, while Grande was stunned by a layered, strapless dark pink gown that exuded elegance.
At the U.K. premiere Monday, Grande turned heads in a luminous yellow floor-length gown with a cascading train, embodying Glinda’s radiant essence and symbolizing the hope and light her character brings to “Wicked.”
After a flawless streak of method dressing in green ensembles around the globe, makeup artist Joanna Simkin revealed that on Monday night, Erivo’s look was actually a tribute to Glinda.
Erivo wore a fitted, sleeveless black bodice paired with a dramatically flared high-low tulle skirt that revealed a glittering pink mosaic beneath. The shimmer extended to her tights, creating a seamless sparkle. She completed the striking look with black opera gloves, platform heels, De Beers jewelry, and a chic black fascinator perched atop her head.
"Her Schiaparelli dress pays homage to the character of Glinda, and the makeup mimics the sparkling rose tones,” Simkin said in a “HELLO!” article.
Paul Tazewell, the costume designer for “Wicked, meticulously crafted each detail and design in the film's wardrobe.
Tazewell made his Broadway debut with “Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk” in 1996. Since then, he has worked on acclaimed productions like “Hamilton,” “In the Heights” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
Tazewell's creations have been brought to life by Grande, Erivo and the beloved Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible.
Although only glimpses of the costume designs can be seen in trailers, viewers are given a tantalizing taste of the wonderful artistry that awaits.
Whether you're team Elphaba or team Glinda, mark those calendars for Nov. 22. We “Couldn't Be Happier” that “Wicked” is finally coming to the big screen.
