While gliding across the Met Gala red carpet Monday night, Ariana Grande — dressed in a custom Loewe ball gown — stopped to discuss her first day on the set of “Wicked” with Variety‘s Marc Malkin.
“My first day on set for ‘Wicked’ was the most emotional day of my life,” Grande recalled. “All I remember was holding hands with Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [Chu] and crying. And [Jon] saying, ‘Welcome to “Wicked.”‘”
Co-staring Erivo and Grande as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, “Wicked” is the feature adaptation of Winnie Holzman’s 2003 Tony Award-winning musical. The film tells the story of the unlikely friendship between the soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South, and how their lives change after encountering the great and powerful Wizard of Oz.
Met Gala 2024 Red Carpet Photos
Grande said the natural chemistry between her and Erivo blossomed from a powerful friendship they formed while shooting.
“She is really truly my sister. We really found in each other things we needed,” Grande explained. “I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
Erivo shortly joined Grande on the carpet; when asked what scene they were most excited for people to see, the pair told reporters in unison, “All of them.”
Grande had nothing but praise for Erivo’s performance in “Wicked,” saying that she “will never forget a minute of filming with her.”
“She humanizes [Elphaba] in such an extraordinary way and brings her to life,” Grande added. “Her eyes, her hands, it’s otherworldly.”
Erivo returned the recognition to Grande, saying that her “Wicked” co-star “wears her heart on her sleeve constantly.”
“She is so open and generous with her performance that it is so easy to be in a scene with her,” Erivo continued. “You look at her eyes and you know she is telling the truth.”
The first part of Chu’s “Wicked” hits theaters Nov. 27.