It’s been a rewarding yellow brick road for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Alongside the box office release of the highly anticipated Wicked: For Good film, both stars—who play Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in the film—opened up about what being a part of this project has meant to them.
"I could write you an essay, a poem, Shakespearean prose, to describe what this journey has meant to me, what lessons this time has taught me, bought me,” Cynthia captioned her Nov. 21 Instagram post. “I could try to give a metric to the love I have felt and experienced. I could give a number to the stories I have heard. The truth is the numbers are too small and the words are not enough.”
But that didn’t stop the Harriet actress from offering her hopes for watchers of the second film in the Wicked duology, directed by Jon M. Chu.
“So I’ll simply say this,” she continued. “Take my hand and walk with me to the end of this road paved with gold and hopefully, the things that I’ve found, might find you too. Thank you for letting me be your Elphaba.”
In the sweet photos shared to social media, Cynthia offered a look at BTS content, which included showing off her Elphie outfit on the yellow brick road, smiling in pictures with crew, and holding the hand of a certain human-turned-scare crow.
As for Cynthia’s costar Ariana, she also shared a message straight from her heart.
“Thank you, my sweet Glinda, for everything,” she wrote alongside her social media post. “I will love you always ... Wicked For Good is out now.”
Alongside her carousel of pictures posted to Instagram, Ariana, 32—who recently had to sit out on some of her appearances due to a COVID-19 diagnosis—can be seen in her iconic Glinda the Good Witch get-up, donning a pink gown, magic wand, and bedazzled crown.
In the behind-the-scenes snaps, the “bye" singer also shared moments from her dress fittings, as well the less glamorous bits of lounging outside her trailer—in a pink blanket, of course.
This isn’t the first time that the on-screen duo has gotten sentimental about the film’s impact on their lives.
"It's been such an incredible ride and an incredible experience to create with people we love so much and respect so much creatively, but also who just have such great hearts," Ariana exclusively told E! News’ Justin Sylvester at the New York City premiere Nov. 17. adding that she's also excited for fans to "finally be able to get the full story" and the "full arc of these women that we love so much and have spent these years with."
And to finally be able to close the loop for fans will be particularly fulfilling.
"It's almost five years that we've spent with them," she continued. "So, for them to finally be getting the full picture and to know the secrets we've known all along is very exciting."
The Wicked cast is also as stylish as they are thankful. For their very best Ozian ensembles, keep reading.
Coming Attractions
Presenting together at the 2024 Oscars in March, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were already teasing what was in store from the first installment of Wicked, coming to theaters Nov. 22.
Erivo, who plays green-hued "bad" witch Elphaba, looked ready for both the red carpet and battle in leather Louis Vuitton with reptilian ruffles down the back. And Grande, who costars as "good" witch Glinda, channeled old Hollywood glam in a powder-pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture column gown magically accented with enough fabric to provide a peplum, a stole, a bustle and a train all at once.
They Know About Popular
The Wicked train chugged into CinemaCon in April with Grande all aboard in a white and pink Oscar de la Renta minidress that resembled a blooming flower, while Erivo sported a green and silver Versace ensemble, including fierce thigh-high satin boots.
Not the colors of dear old Shiz, but she has an open invitation to play Quidditch for Slytherin.
Très Chic
Gold for best dressed went to team Wicked at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the costars were spotted at multiple events.
But first, they kicked off the Games at the July 26 Opening Ceremony, Erivo in a strapless green Louis Vuitton gown with a gravity-defying silhouette and Grande in a drop-waist powder-pink Thom Browne dress that would've made Audrey Hepburn proud.
Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops
Erivo, who also performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the event, looked wickedly good in a glittering emerald gown by Naeem Khan at the 2024 Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala on Oct. 19.
Another popular choice: Grande's leather-trimmed polka dot ball gown courtesy of Balmain.
Coat of Many Colors
Erivo accessorized her T-shirt and cropped jeans with bright-green pumps and a patterned Louis Vuitton coat at an Oct. 2024 screening of Wicked at the DGA Theater in New York.
Grande looked ready for her first day of witch university in a cream-colored button-down vest and matching skirt by Atelier Versace.
Peas in a Pod
It's unclear if Grande floated to the WSJ. Magazine 2024 Innovator Awards inside a magical bubble, but her delicately embroidered white Vivienne Westwood gown was fit for such a journey.
Meanwhile, Erivo's Erdem dress—gray pinstripes overlaid with embellished green silk—was Land of Oz meets Wall Street.
Good Witch of the North
Grande went full Glinda at the Nov. 2024 Australian premiere of Wicked in a pink Vivienne Westwood ball gown.
Far From Basic
Erivo leaned into Elphaba's wicked future at the premiere in a black Louis Vuitton strapless gown, accessorized with a massive lion's head choker and another bedazzled green manicure.
"I love this outfit so much because it speaks to my character," the British actress told Vogue Australia before heading to the red carpet (or, in this case, yellow brick road). "It reminds me of wings and defying gravity."
Every Look There Is or Was
Erivo cast yet another spell at the Nov. 2024 Wicked photocall in Australia, this time in an emerald and black Marc Jacobs blouse paired with a black embroidered skirt.
And for her latest trick: Dividing the eye's attention between her dainty fascinator and the towering multistrap Mary Jane platforms that added at least 6 inches to her 5-foot-1 frame.
Ways to Flirt and Flounce
Grande was the gift in bow-trimmed Bode at the Australian photo call.
Changed for Good
Louis Vuitton didn't hold back on the green for Erivo and Thom Browne provided Grande's dainty gingham look at the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked on Nov. 2024.
Because I Knew You
Leaning into Elphaba's eventual preferred color, Erivo wore Dior to a Nov. 2024 Wicked screening hosted by Vogue at New York's Museum of Modern Art, while Grande turned up the pink meter from pastel to hot in Louis Vuitton.
The Chance to Fly
Across the pond for Wicked's London premiere on Nov. 2024, Grande was cheery as a buttercup in a dreamy Ralph Lauren gown and Erivo hit the sweet spot where punk meets princess courtesy of Schiaparelli.
One Wonderful Night
Ariana and Cynthia channeled their inner witch in honor of NBC's WIcked: One Wonderful Night TV special in November 2025.
Wicked Through and Through
Whent the Broadway star arrived at the 2025 Oscars ceremony, she did so in a look that exuded the power only Elphaba can bring.
A Celebration the Glinda Way
Whereas Cynthia's Oscars look was all bold lines and arresting shapes, Ariana's was perfetly Glinda-fied—channeling the softness and glam of the woman who came down in a bubble.