Bring it to the Yellow Brick Runway: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's Oz references at the Wicked Movie Premieres
No one mourns the Wicked, but I sure am mourning the end of the Wicked Premieres. Let's take a look at the Oz references Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo made at the Wicked Movie Premieres.
There are few things I love more than committing to a bit, and in today’s promotional climate, the ladies have been bringing it. We all remember how incredible Margot Robbie’s press tour for Barbie was; I haven’t stopped thinking about her referencing the very first Barbie in a black-and-white Hervé Léger dress or the vintage Vivienne Westwood gown inspired by 1960s Enchanted Evening Barbie that she wore to Barbie's European Premiere. As a lifelong Oz fan, seeing our on-screen Glinda and Elphaba sport pink and green all year long has been thrilling, but they truly pulled out all the stops for the Wicked premieres over the last few weeks.
Fashion aside, the ‘Journey Through Oz’ theme to each of the five premieres was the perfect way to take us through the wonderful land of Oz and play a pink and green edition of “Where’s Waldo?” with the cast, trying to spot the references to the 1900 novel, 1939 film, and 2003 Broadway musical.
If you’re interested in my (spoiler-free) review of the Wicked Movie, check out my latest podcast episode!
Sydney: Munchkinland
We begin our journey through Oz in the same place Wicked the Musical starts and where Dorothy first lands in Oz: Munchkinland. Both of our witches (both good and wicked) paid homage to the witches who started it all: Billie Burke and Margaret Hamilton.
Ariana Grande wore a custom Pink Vivienne Westwood gown that looked like it walked straight off the set of the 1939 film. From the silver starbursts throughout the dress, her body weight in tulle, and puffy pink shoulders, there’s no denying that she’s selecting the Bubble option when calling her next Uber. The attention to detail in this look is what really blows me away, right down to a butterfly choker, just like Billie Burke wore as Glinda in 1939.
Cynthia Erivo didn’t need to make a fiery entrance in Muchkinland like Margaret Hamilton did to leave an impression on us all - WOW. If we didn’t already know that Dorothy’s house kills Nessarose (sorry for the spoiler), I’d say this custom Louis Vuitton gown would be a suspect because it’s drop-dead gorgeous. Between the structured hips that look like she’s about to defy gravity and the diamond lion collar, this look was absolute perfection.
LA: Shiz University
Following the Yellow Brick Road through Oz, we’ve landed at Shiz University for the Los Angeles premiere.
Though Wicked is the story of what happens before Dorothy gets to Oz, it would be criminal to leave Judy Garland out of this press tour. Ariana perfectly combined Dorothy and Glinda with this custom Thom Browne pink gingham dress. My favorite part of this look? The shoes.
We all know the iconic Ruby Red Slipper from the 1939 film, but did you know that in the original novel, the shoes were silver? Ariana has expressed how much the story of Oz means to her, so it’s no surprise to me that she decided to pull from all the available source material for her looks. I wish there was a more personal reason as to why Victor Flemming chose to go red over silver, but he just wanted to have more fun with the technicolor world of Oz and thought red would pop more against the Yellow Brick Road. I guess he thought red goes good well with yellow.
You’re green! If green wasn’t already a staple color in Cynthia’s wardrobe, I hope it is now - this is her color. Reminding us all that she isn’t seasick and didn’t eat grass as a child, she rocked a monochromatic Louis Vuitton moment with a whimsical fluffy coat to match. Clothing aside, can we talk about this jewelry? Her Roberto Coin Haute Couture one-of-a-kind collar decked out in diamonds with a pear-shaped emerald at the center? Unreal.
Mexico City: Enchanted Forest
Next up on our Wickedly fun press tour: the Enchanted Forest in Mexico City. When I think of the Enchanted Forest, my first thought is where we first meet the Cowardly Lion and when Elphaba and Fiyero set him free in Act One of Wicked. That being said, when the themes for each premiere were released, I was most curious about these looks since we don’t see Glinda in the forest ever (I’m almost positive), and there isn’t much more to play with than the trees, but it ended up being some of my favorite looks.
References aside, this custom Versace dress is my favorite look Ariana Grande wore to any of these premieres; it might be the most stunning dress I’ve ever seen in my life.
When I saw the iridescent material, I think all of our first thought was Glinda’s bubble. Though Glinda traveled by chariot in the original novels, our first (and lasting) impression of Glinda in the film is when she arrives in Munchkinland via a pink bubble. Iconic. After thinking more about how the bubble may tie into the Enchanted Forest and drawing a complete blank, I started thinking of other iridescent things throughout Oz, and then it hit me: Elphaba/The Wicked Witch of the West’s crystal ball! One of the most famous WWotW scenes is her watching the fabulous four skip down the Yellow Brick Road through the Enchanted Forest before casting the poppies spell on them.
Keeping on trend with paying homage to Margaret Hamilton’s Wicked Witch of the West, Cynthia Erivo took it to a whole new level with this custom-made Thome Browne dress. Paying direct homage to Margaret’s test photos of the Witch, this look is just fabulous. I absolutely love the way Cynthia chose to play with shape with so many of her looks by adding structured hips, but the real star of the show here is the witch-like hands coming out of her shoulders, emulating a witch’s shadow. I know the song is titled “I’m Not That Girl,” but Cynthia Erivo is, in fact, THAT girl.
NYC: Ozdust Ballroom
There’s something so posh about the New York City premiere being Ozdust Ballroom-themed and hosted by no other than Vogue at the Museum of Modern Art. The heart of Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship, the true turning point in Wicked, is the Ozdust Ballroom scene when Glinda realizes she’s taken it too far and has to right her wrongs with Elphaba.
The Ozdust Ballroom is a Wicked exclusive location, so I was sure Ariana and Cynthia would pull from the stage musical. Ariana showed up in a custom pink satin Louis Vuitton gown with a bubble hem - we see what you did there, Ms. Thing. The bubble hem is very reminiscent of the layers on Glinda’s dress she wears on stage during this scene.
Before I talk about what I love about this look, I can’t lie - I’m disappointed there was no hat for this look. This scene is the first time we see Elphie wearing the iconic pointed black hat, but I can also see how a black hat may minimize the custom Cristian Dior gown Cynthia wore for this event. It is to be noted she is wearing a headpiece, which could opt as a nod to this pillar in the storyline.
This gown immediately made me think of the way Elphaba’s dress takes over the stage during Defying Gravity. Again, playing with shape, but this time using it to make the bottom of the gown billow and remind us that everyone deserves the chance to fly. I also can’t let those mesh sleeves go unnoticed. Unbelievably fabulous.
London: Emerald City
Whether you got here by bubble, skipping down the Yellow Brick Road, broomstick, or by a chariot led by a horse of a different color, all roads in Oz lead to the Emerald City. I spoke about it on my podcast this week, but seeing the Emerald City for the first time in this movie was something I’ll never forget. It’s such a special moment in the movie.
I wasn’t sure what route Ariana and Cynthia would take for this premiere. Up until this point, Ariana has been in a pink chokehold, and Cynthia has only worn a green dress once throughout these premieres, but it’s the Emerald City, they have to wear green, right? Wrong.
Once again, reminding us to never doubt her references, Ariana showed up in a custom yellow Ralph Lauren gown, which paid direct homage to Glinda’s on-stage dress she wears when she arrives in the Emerald City for the first time. I’d be lying if I said I wish Ariana and Cynthia went full send green for this premiere, but this was such a fun way to pay homage to the musical.
Cynthia showed up looking like she’d been a citizen of Oz for her entire life. Wearing a gown from Schiaparelli’s Autumn/Winter 2024 haute couture collection, the whimsical headpiece, playful asymmetrical tulle skirt, and disco-tiled pink leg, the Wizard would be foolish to not invite her to his castle. The pop of pink reminds us that she’s been Glinda-fied and really brought this entire press tour full circle.