Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Skipping Interviews at ‘Wicked: For Good’ New York Premiere
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande won’t be doing interviews at Monday night’s New York City premiere of “Wicked: For Good.”
Universal reps informed members of the media just hours before the carpet is set to open at Lincoln Center that “Cynthia is not feeling well and has lost her voice, therefore she and Ariana will not be doing interviews this evening.”
Variety has learned that Grande decided to skip interviews in solidarity with Erivo. The pair is still set to pose for photos on the carpet.
Co-stars Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Colman Domingo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and director Jon M. Chu are expected to attend the premiere.
Sadly, this is another unexpected hiccup in the “Wicked: For Good” world promo tour. Grande was unable to make it to the first premiere in São Paulo, Brazil, on Nov. 4 because of airplane mechanical issues. Last week, Grande was grabbed by a man in Singapore who jumped over the barricades onto the carpet — with Erivo springing into action to push the man off her co-star.
On Saturday, Erivo talked about their “Wicked” journey during a conversation moderated by Variety’s Clayton Davis. “We have come through some shit,” she said. “I mean, fuck even this last week, let’s be honest.”
Erivo and Grande attended the Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night. Erivo presented Debbie Allen’s honorary Oscar. Grande walked the red carpet and spoke to some members of the press, including Variety.
“For Good” comes a year after the first “Wicked” movie was released. “Wicked” went on to earn more than $746 million in worldwide ticket sales and 10 Oscar nominations, including acting nods for Grande and Erivo as well as one for best picture.
The second and final movie sees Elphaba (Erivo) continuing her Wicked Witch of the West crusade to bring down the Wizard (Goldblum). Meanwhile, Glinda’s (Grande) popularity rises as she gets ready to marry Fiyero (Bailey).
“Wicked: For Good” is in theaters Nov. 21.
