Cynthia Erivo’s Hidden Production Role on ‘Wicked’ Revealed—She’s Not Just the Lead
* Number one: She’s credited as a producer for the first time—Cynthia Erivo executive produced the ‘Wicked’ film, making her a driving force behind the camera, not just its iconic green-skinned star.
* Number two: A two-part release strategy—The movie is splitting the beloved Broadway musical into two films, with Part One hitting theaters in 2024, and Erivo insisted on the split to honor the original show’s depth.
* Number three: Record-breaking vocals—Erivo performed live on set for every single song, including ‘Defying Gravity,’ without any pre-recorded tracks, a move that stunned co-star Ariana Grande and the crew.
* Number four: A secret costume challenge—She transformed via four hours of prosthetics daily, but revealed the real struggle was singing while wearing a corset and 12-pound dress for emotional scenes.
* Number five: The Oscar-buzz early reaction—Early test screenings have sparked major awards season chatter, with critics calling Erivo’s performance a career-defining moment that could land her a third Academy Award nomination.