Cynthia Erivo captured hearts when she sang her heart out as Celie on the 2015 Broadway revival of "The Color Purple." She earned a Tony Award, an Emmy Award for a performance on television, and a Grammy Award for the original Broadway cast recording of the said musical.
After singing in rural Georgia, Erivo is now singing in the magical Land of Oz with Ariana Grande. Erivo has been cast as Elphaba while Grande will be playing Glinda in the movie musical adaptation of "Wicked."
Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande Voice Sound The Same Together?
In a conversation on Today with Hoda and Jenna, Cynthia Erivo discussed donning the iconic role for the big screen. She also talked about her co-star, Ariana Grande, and how their voices are perfect for each other.
Cynthia Erivo talks about singing with Ariana Grande for Wicked 💚🩷
— Wicked Movie Updates (@wickedupdate) December 19, 2023
"our voices are very different...but for some reason when we sing, they sound like one voice. We discovered it when we were rehearsing and singing together" pic.twitter.com/PJ8MBmGiMg
"Our voices are very different, as you know, but for some reason when we sing, they sound like one voice. We discovered it when we were rehearsing and singing together," she revealed. "We work really well together."
Describing the revelation to be "surprising" and "amazing," Erivo admitted that to this day, they get "astounded" by how similar their voices work together.
"I love listening to her, she loves listening to me. I love singing with her, we love singing together because we can find the sound together. It's really lovely," she added.
READ ALSO: SAG-AFTRA Strike Ends: 'Wicked' Returning To Complete Last 10 Days of Filming
Cynthia Erivo Doing Her Own Stunts, Live Singing On 'Wicked'
Elsewhere in the interview with Today, Erivo also revealed that she is doing her own stunts and live singing in the upcoming films.
"When I walk into a project I want to know that I care...that requires being focused and breathing and letting fear pass by," Erivo shared. "It's very exciting, and fun, and wild, and heart-wrenching."
"Wicked" will be split into two films with the first film coming this Thanksgiving 2024, while the second half is set for release on Christmas 2025.
Aside from Grande and Erivo, Jonathan Bailey will play Fiyero, Ethan Slater is Boq, Michelle Yeoh is Madam Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum is the Wizard of Oz.
"Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz also confirmed that new "Wicked" songs will be added to the film, which he personally wrote.
"Wicked" officially turned 20 years old this year on Broadway, and is now the second highest-grossing musical of all time, next to "The Lion King." It earned Idina Menzel a Tony Award for Best Actress.
READ MORE: 'Wicked' Movie New Songs Added, Composer Stephen Schwartz Revealed
