At the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good on Monday night, Ariana Grande stepped in as the primary on-camera voice after costar Cynthia Erivo lost hers ahead of the red carpet. Organizers had told press earlier that the pair would avoid formal interviews because Erivo needed vocal rest, but the duo still appeared briefly on the official E! livestream where Grande handled most questions. Grande used the moment to promote their joint Grammy nomination for their duet of “Defying Gravity” and to plug Erivo’s upcoming solo album and book, while Erivo managed a short, raspy line for viewers. The film is set to open in theaters on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Cynthia Erivo lost her voice before the New York premiere and was advised to rest it, prompting limited on-camera remarks.
- Ariana Grande was the only star given a microphone during the E! livestream interview and spoke on Erivo’s behalf for most questions.
- Grande and Erivo are nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at next year’s Grammys for “Defying Gravity.”
- Erivo briefly spoke into the mic in a raspy voice during the livestream and offered a short reflection about finishing where Wicked began.
- Earlier the same day, a court in Australia sentenced a serial intruder who accosted Grande at the Singapore premiere to 9 days in jail for public nuisance.
- Wicked: For Good will be released in theaters on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025; the original Wicked musical opened at the Gershwin Theatre in 2003.
Background
Wicked began as a Broadway phenomenon when it opened at the Gershwin Theatre in 2003 and has since built a multi-decade cultural footprint that includes touring productions and, most recently, a major film adaptation. Wicked: For Good is positioned as the cinematic continuation of that stage legacy, bringing Broadway stars and pop artists into a high-profile promotional cycle designed to reach global audiences. Press tours for tentpole musicals often involve back-to-back appearances in multiple countries, tight schedules and repeated vocal strain for performers who sing, talk and promote across media formats. That intensity can amplify routine health issues—vocal fatigue, laryngitis or minor infections—into show-stopping problems at high-profile events.
The film’s promotional schedule has already seen heightened security and logistical concerns after the Singapore premiere, where an intruder’s actions prompted legal consequences and public discussion about star safety. Producers and venues now balance the commercial benefits of public red carpets against protection for talent and crews. At the same time, collaborators such as Grande and Erivo are managing cross-medium careers—albums, books, and film tie-ins—that increase the stakes for both promotion and personal well-being.
Main Event
Organizers told press before the New York red carpet that Erivo would not be speaking in formal interviews because she had lost her voice; despite that, the pair stopped by the official E! livestream for a short on-camera exchange. Only Grande was handed a microphone for the host’s questions, and she immediately acknowledged Erivo’s condition while gently steering the conversation. Grande joked that she would not let Erivo talk because the actress needed to rest her voice, then pivoted to highlight Erivo’s upcoming solo album and her book, Simply More.
During the livestream, Grande also referenced their joint Grammy nomination for their rendition of “Defying Gravity,” calling the moment part of an “overwhelming gratitude” the pair share as the franchise reaches its cinematic conclusion. Erivo leaned in at one point, attempted to communicate with Grande, and then spoke herself into the mic in a hoarse, raspy tone to offer a brief remark about “finishing here, where it started”—a nod to New York and the Gershwin Theatre. Neither star elaborated publicly at the premiere on the earlier Singapore incident, though Grande later referenced the toll of a demanding promotion schedule.
The on-camera exchange was short and managed to avoid medical detail; Grande told viewers Erivo had been “throat-coating” and emphasized her need to rest. That approach allowed the premiere to proceed without major disruption while keeping Erivo largely off formal interview circuits until she can recover. The event underscored how public appearances are sometimes altered at the last minute for health and security reasons, with costars and promoters adapting quickly to preserve both a film’s launch momentum and a performer’s well-being.
Analysis & Implications
In-joint appearances where one star covers for another are not uncommon, but when vocal issues intersect with a global promotional calendar they highlight both commercial and human realities. From a marketing perspective, Grande’s willingness to shoulder the interview load preserved visibility for the film and for Erivo’s ancillary projects—her solo album and book—while signaling solidarity rather than trying to mask the problem. That can limit negative media spin and maintain audience enthusiasm ahead of a Friday release.
For performers, repeated speaking and singing across time zones increases the risk of vocal injury; industry best practices emphasize scheduled vocal rest, hydration, and medical oversight for lead singers. Publicly acknowledging a voice issue—while sharing reassuring updates—can set realistic expectations for media appearances and encourage more humane scheduling by studios and publicity teams. It also shapes how fans interpret short, curated moments on red carpets versus fuller press interviews or performances later in a campaign.
The Singapore incident earlier in the tour, and the swift legal consequence there, raises additional considerations about on-the-ground security for premieres and the liability of venues. Even when an altercation does not involve physical harm, a pattern of intrusions can lead studios and promoters to tighten access, limit in-person interactions, or shift to controlled livestream formats. Those choices affect fan engagement and the optics of a campaign, balancing safety with accessibility.
Comparison & Data
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original Broadway opening | Gershwin Theatre, 2003 |
| Film release | Wicked: For Good in theaters, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 |
| Grammy nomination | Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity” (shared by Grande & Erivo) |
The table places the current film release in historical context: a franchise that began on Broadway in 2003 has now expanded into a global film rollout in 2025, with the performers’ cross-medium work also earning awards attention. That arc helps explain the intensity of the promotional push and the scrutiny on star availability and safety.
Reactions & Quotes
“I’m not letting her speak. She has to rest her voice!”
Ariana Grande, on the E! livestream
Grande’s remark came in a lighthearted tone but signaled a clear decision to prioritize vocal rest. The comment framed the pair’s short appearance as protective rather than evasive, and set the tone for Grande to highlight Erivo’s projects.
“It’s been such an incredible ride… overwhelming gratitude.”
Ariana Grande, on emotions about the film’s conclusion
Grande used gratitude language to describe the duo’s feelings as the story moves from stage to screen, emphasizing creative collaboration and emotional closure without dwelling on operational issues.
“She had to throat-coat and rest; there’s only so much the human body can endure.”
Ariana Grande, addressing the press tour’s demands
Grande’s comment acknowledged the toll of touring and promotion and offered a brief medical rationale for Erivo’s limited remarks, without disclosing clinical detail.
Unconfirmed
- No official medical diagnosis for Erivo’s voice loss has been released publicly; the severity and expected recovery timeline remain unconfirmed.
- Details about any changes to future press appearances or whether formal interviews will resume have not been announced by the studio or representatives.
- The motive and full circumstances behind the Singapore intruder’s actions have not been disclosed beyond court findings labeling the behavior a public nuisance.
Bottom Line
The New York premiere exchange distilled two converging realities: the high-profile momentum behind Wicked: For Good and the human limits of artists working a global promotional schedule. Ariana Grande’s decision to carry the livestream conversation preserved promotional continuity, highlighted collaborative goodwill, and allowed Erivo to prioritize recovery ahead of the film’s wide release on Nov. 21, 2025.
Looking ahead, the incident reinforces how studios, venues and talent teams will need to manage artist health and security with care. Fans can still expect the film’s release this Friday and the pair’s Grammy-nominated performance to remain a central talking point in reviews and awards-season coverage.
Sources
- CNN (news)
- E! (entertainment broadcaster) — official livestream partner