‘I Didn’t Know We Could Be Eligible’: Cynthia Erivo Talks Grammys Surprise on ‘Fallon’
Cynthia Erivo is experiencing a remarkable surge in her career as she prepares to reprise her iconic role as Elphaba in “Wicked: For Good,” the highly anticipated sequel to the 2024 film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical “Wicked.” The original film was a massive success, grossing nearly $750 million globally, making it the highest-grossing adaptation of a Broadway musical to date. With the sequel set to hit theaters on November 21, expectations are soaring. Industry analysts predict that “Wicked: For Good” could earn over $120 million domestically during its opening weekend, positioning it for a record-breaking start among Broadway adaptations.
In addition to her role in “Wicked,” Erivo has been busy promoting her newly released autobiography, “Simply More,” and gracing the cover of Britain’s GQ magazine. Her multifaceted talents as an actress, singer, and producer have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by her recent Grammy nominations for her work in “Wicked.” During a recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Erivo expressed her surprise at receiving nominations for her performances of “Defying Gravity” alongside Ariana Grande and “Be Okay.” She humorously noted the challenge of ranking her favorite songs from the musical, likening it to choosing her favorite children. Erivo’s engaging personality and the heartfelt stories she shared, including a charming anecdote about a lost hat that became a viral meme, showcased her warmth and relatability.
As Erivo continues to shine in the entertainment industry, her contributions to both stage and screen are being celebrated. With “Wicked: For Good” on the horizon, fans are eagerly anticipating her return as Elphaba, while her recent accolades and personal projects have solidified her status as a powerhouse in the arts. The upcoming film promises to deliver a Thanksgiving treat for audiences, and with Erivo at the helm, it’s clear that her star power is only set to grow.
Sometimes it rains, sometimes it pours. For
Cynthia Erivo
, it’s pouring, in spectacular fashion.
The award-winning actress, singer, and producer is, of course, reprising her role as Elphaba in
Wicked: For Good
, the sequel to 2024 feature film
Wicked
, which raked in nearly $750 million at the worldwide box office, the best showing ever an adaptation for a Broadway musical.
That’s for starters. The Nigerian-British star penned the newly-published autobiography “Simply More,” she’s the cover star on Britain’s
GQ
, and her voice is still “missing in action,” the fallout from all the promo, the extensive singing and the airmiles put in for
Wicked: For Good
, which arrives Friday, Nov. 21 in theaters.
Erivo stopped by
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
on Wednesday night (Nov. 19) for a quiet chat about her busy schedule.
For her work on stage and screen, Erivo has won a Tony, Emmy and this week she landed two Grammy Award nominations for
Wicked
: one for “Defying Gravity” (with
Ariana Grande
) in the best pop duo/group performance category, and another for “Be Okay” in the best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella category.
“I didn’t even know we could be nominated for that,” she told Fallon. “I didn’t know we could be eligible.”
Fallon also coaxed Erivo into ranking her favorite songs from
Wicked,
a project not far removed from being asked to choose your favorite kids, she remarked. And she discussed the origins of
that
meme (it’s a story of a lost hat, with a happy ending) and recreated it for the moment.
Universal‘s
Wicked: For Good
should provide a Thanksgiving feast, somewhere in the order of $120 million-plus domestically and upwards of $200 million worldwide, according to
The Hollywood Reporter
.
With those numbers, Jon M. Chu’s film would bank the best start for a Broadway musical adaptation ever. By trying to manage expectations, the studio has suggested anything around $115 million in North America would be huge result.
Watch Erivo’s late night interview below.
