Ariana Grande Steps In as Cynthia Erivo Battles Voice Loss Ahead of ‘Wicked: for Good’ Release
NEW YORK – As the premiere of “Wicked: For good” approaches, Cynthia Erivo is facing a temporary setback: vocal strain. Ahead of Monday’s New York City premiere, Erivo found herself struggling with her voice, prompting co-star Ariana Grande to assist during interviews. The film, a highly anticipated adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, is set to release this Friday.
The incident underscores the intense demands of the film’s promotional tour, which has included a recent security scare in Singapore involving an intruder accosting Grande at a premiere event.Erivo and Grande portray Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in the film, and their on-screen chemistry has been a central focus of the marketing campaign. With Erivo’s voice compromised,Grande stepped in to help navigate press engagements,ensuring the message surrounding the film remains strong as its theatrical debut nears.
Grande acknowledged the grueling schedule, stating, “There’s onyl so much the human body can endure,” and confirmed Erivo was “throat-coating” to recover. The pair had previously reflected on the significance of finishing the press tour in New York City,the birthplace of “Wicked,” which has been playing on Broadway at the Gershwin Theater since 2003.
Earlier Monday, an Australian serial intruder who approached Grande during the Singapore premiere was sentenced to nine days in jail for creating a public nuisance. Despite the challenges, both stars remained focused on celebrating the film’s release.
