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Wicked

All articles tagged with #wicked

Beyond Ted Lasso: Waddingham’s Comeback, Ride or Die, and Wicked Rumor Debunked
entertainment5 hours ago

Beyond Ted Lasso: Waddingham’s Comeback, Ride or Die, and Wicked Rumor Debunked

In a candid Variety interview, Hannah Waddingham credits critics with propelling her to the next act after an early-panned show, dismisses rumors she auditioned for Wicked’s Madame Morrible, and discusses her return as Rebecca in Ted Lasso Season 4. She also leads the action-comedy Ride or Die with Octavia Spencer (she did most of her own stunts) and reflects on the show’s collaborative rewrites, her flexible project choices, and her stance against AI altering performances. Off screen, she highlights balancing work with single-parent life and her charity work with Make-a-Wish U.K., including ongoing support for families in need.

Erivo Pushes Back on 'Bodyguard' Meme, Highlights Black Women Stereotypes
culture2 days ago

Erivo Pushes Back on 'Bodyguard' Meme, Highlights Black Women Stereotypes

During Wicked’s Singapore premiere, Cynthia Erivo protected Ariana Grande from a fan, a moment that sparked memes labeling Erivo as Grande’s bodyguard. In a Variety interview, Erivo argued the memes exposed racist, gendered stereotypes about Black women— including a focus on her physique and baldness— and she noted these dynamics affected her Oscar campaigning, though she has since stepped back from heavy publicity.

Erivo Says She and Ariana Grande Were Holding On by Threads at Wicked Press Tour's End
entertainment2 days ago

Erivo Says She and Ariana Grande Were Holding On by Threads at Wicked Press Tour's End

Cynthia Erivo disclosed that she and Ariana Grande were “holding on by threads” after years of filming and promoting the Wicked films, emphasizing they leaned on each other amid intense scrutiny and memes. She recalled protecting Grande from a fan at the Singapore premiere and noted how public commentary often misreads their friendship, highlighting the effort to stay close despite the demanding press tour.

Erivo Pushes Back on 'Bodyguard' Narrative, Reaffirms Friendship with Ariana Grande
entertainment3 days ago

Erivo Pushes Back on 'Bodyguard' Narrative, Reaffirms Friendship with Ariana Grande

Cynthia Erivo rejects the idea that she was Ariana Grande’s bodyguard, saying the friendship was genuine and they kept in touch during the Wicked press cycle. She notes how misperceptions of Black women shaped online commentary, and recalls the Singapore premiere incident in which she protected Grande from a man who grabbed her. Erivo also points out that people often read their dynamic incorrectly and that they supported each other throughout the four-year production, with continued texting after filming.

Cynthia Erivo on Surviving Wicked—and Staying Close Amid the Spotlight
entertainment3 days ago

Cynthia Erivo on Surviving Wicked—and Staying Close Amid the Spotlight

Cynthia Erivo discusses the intense scrutiny around Wicked and its sequel, the deliberate effort to nurture her friendship with Ariana Grande amid online speculation, the Singapore incident where she protected Grande, and the emotional toll of Oscar campaigning. She’s returning to the West End in Dracula, pursuing future roles like Miriam Makeba, and continuing her advocacy through The Shameless Fund, all while staying grounded in humanity and authenticity despite fame.

Wicked Star Alleges Disability Bias After Boarding Denial
entertainment1 month ago

Wicked Star Alleges Disability Bias After Boarding Denial

Wicked actress Marissa Bode says she was denied boarding a Southern Airways flight because she uses a wheelchair, despite her manager confirming accommodations; the airline’s contract states planes with stairs aren’t required to have mechanical lifts, but after her viral TikTok the mobility director apologized and said an internal review is underway to improve accessibility.

Wicked Star Alleges Disability-Based Boarding Denial, Calls It Segregation
entertainment1 month ago

Wicked Star Alleges Disability-Based Boarding Denial, Calls It Segregation

Wicked star Marissa Bode says she was barred from boarding a Southern Airways flight due to her wheelchair, telling TikTok followers she couldn’t board because the airline’s planes require stairs and lack lifts. She criticized the action as blatant segregation, noting that a manager had arranged accommodations, but the carrier’s contract allows boarding only for those who can ascend stairs on small planes.

Oscars-Driven March Streaming Shakeup: Wicked, Peaky Blinders and More Debut
entertainment2 months ago

Oscars-Driven March Streaming Shakeup: Wicked, Peaky Blinders and More Debut

March 2026 brings a wave of Oscar-nominated and acclaimed titles to streaming across Hulu, Peacock, Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max and Disney+: The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, and It Was Just an Accident arrive on Hulu; Hamnet and Wicked: For Good premiere on Peacock; Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man debuts on Netflix, along with Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale and other titles, with additional premieres like War Machine, The Bad Guys 2, Anemone and more rolling out across platforms this month.

Defying Gravity crowns Grammys upset as Erivo and Grande win
entertainment3 months ago

Defying Gravity crowns Grammys upset as Erivo and Grande win

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande stunned at the Grammys by winning Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their rendition of Defying Gravity from Wicked, beating favorites Apt. and Golden. They did not attend the ceremony’s Premiere portion to accept the award, which was the first award handed out. The win marks Erivo’s second and Grande’s third Grammy.

Wicked: For Good Misses Out on 2026 Oscar Noms
entertainment4 months ago

Wicked: For Good Misses Out on 2026 Oscar Noms

The Wicked: For Good sequel, led by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was shut out of the 2026 Academy Awards, receiving no lead or supporting actress nominations despite a strong box office showing and prior Golden Globes nods; the 98th Oscars honored other films (with Sinners leading at 16 nominations) and Universal remains hopeful about expanding the Wicked universe despite the Oscar snub.

Grande and Bailey reunite for London revival of Sunday in the Park with George
entertainment4 months ago

Grande and Bailey reunite for London revival of Sunday in the Park with George

Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey, who played Glinda and Fiyero in the Wicked film, will reunite on stage for a 2027 London revival of Sunday in the Park with George at the Barbican Theatre; the announcement was teased with an Instagram photo in front of Georges Seurat’s painting, and while their exact roles aren’t confirmed, the female lead is Dot; tickets go on sale in May.

Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey Signal West End Return in Sunday in the Park with George
entertainment4 months ago

Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey Signal West End Return in Sunday in the Park with George

Ariana Grande and Wicked costar Jonathan Bailey posted a photo together in front of Georges Seurat’s La Grande Jatte, fueling reports they’ll lead a London revival of Sunday in the Park with George, directed by Marianne Elliott; Deadline had previously reported the revival was in early planning, with CNN not authoring comment from reps at press time.