TV & Movies
Cynthia Erivo Co-Wrote A Song For Wicked
She said the cast and crew were crying as they filmed it.
Cynthia Erivo might be playing Elphaba in the blockbuster film adaptation of Wicked, but the singer revealed that she also co-wrote a song for Part 2, which is slated to release on Nov. 21, 2025.
In a new episode of Variety’s Award Circuit podcast, the Emmy-, Tony- and Oscar-winning actor revealed that she collaborated with the musical’s original songwriter, Stephen Schwartz, to create a new track for Wicked: For Good.
“I don’t know if you’re ready for it,” she said. “I love the song and I remember when we filmed it, the cast and crew were crying. So I don’t know. And I don’t know if that’s just because they were emotional that day or that’s what the song does.”
Fans of the original Broadway show have been posting about the emotional release of the movie, which was announced in 2019 before being delayed for several years. Erivo, along with her co-star Ariana Grande, have both spoken openly about how much the show meant to them and the honor of taking up the mantle.
On the podcast, Erivo said she approached the role with her own experiences. Famously, this tale about the origin story of Oz’s misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West begins with Elphaba as a new student being bullied by her peers. “I know what it feels like to walk into a room where people don’t want you to be there,” Erivo said. “I know what it feels like to be bullied, to feel rejected, to feel like you’re not loved. Bringing those memories to the surface wasn’t easy, but it was necessary to show Elphaba’s vulnerability and resilience.”
While Erivo didn’t reveal any more secrets about the upcoming song, she did say she felt it was “very, very special,” saying, “I have a feeling that even the title will move you.”
