Wicked Co-Stars Protect Each Other's Voices Ahead of Premiere

On November 17, 2025, the New York premiere of the Wicked movie was held, and co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande worked together to ensure Erivo could protect her voice. In the days leading up to the premiere, it was reported that Erivo would not be doing any interviews on the red carpet because she had lost her voice. Grande, in a show of solidarity, also decided to bow out of interviews to support her co-star.

When the premiere arrived, Grande took on a protective role, telling E! News reporters, "I'm not letting her speak; she has to rest her voice." Erivo nodded along as Grande spoke, and Grande even name-dropped Erivo's book and solo album, acting almost like Erivo's publicist to ensure she could conserve her voice. Despite the warning, Grande still spoke to some press, but she made sure to prioritize Erivo's vocal rest.

Erivo did eventually get a chance to speak briefly, whispering, "It's really beautiful that we're finishing here [in New York] where it started." The two co-stars demonstrated the strength of their friendship, with Grande supporting Erivo's vocal recovery after an international press tour. As Grande concluded, "There's only so much the human body can endure."