How Cynthia Erivo’s Performance of Defying Gravity Left the Wicked Crew in Tears: Director Jon M. Chu Shares

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As a dedicated follower of musical theater and cinematic storytelling, I must say that Cynthia Erivo’s performance in “Defying Gravity” from Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is nothing short of breathtaking. Her ability to embody Elphaba’s journey of self-acceptance and empowerment is a testament to her talent and dedication as an artist.

What truly sets Erivo apart, in my opinion, is her commitment to authenticity and her willingness to push herself beyond the limits of conventional performance. Singing live while suspended in the air, braving artificial winds, and delivering vocal acrobatics – these are challenges that most would shy away from, but not Erivo. She embraced them with a grace and determination that left everyone on set speechless and teary-eyed.

Reflecting on her experience, I can’t help but be reminded of the time I tried to sing live while doing cartwheels on a trampoline. Needless to say, it didn’t go as smoothly as Erivo’s performance! But her dedication and passion for her craft serve as an inspiration for us all.

In the end, I can’t wait for Wicked: Part Two (releasing in 2025) to see how Erivo continues to bring Elphaba’s story to life. And who knows? Maybe by then, I’ll have mastered singing live while doing cartwheels on a trampoline! But until then, I’ll just keep watching Erivo in awe and hoping some of her magic rubs off on me.

Without a doubt, “Defying Gravity” stands out as one of the pivotal songs from the 11-track soundtrack of Jon M. Chu’s Wicked. In this film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which premiered globally in theaters on November 22, it is Cynthia Erivo, portraying Elphaba, who sings this powerful number.

In simpler terms, Elphaba’s dramatic proclamation symbolizes her acceptance of herself, particularly her unique green skin, which she had long felt set her apart. The British performer shares how she brought the song and its visual interpretation to reality in the passage that follows.

Discussing timelines with director Chu and other creative minds from the Wicked production crew, the Emmy-nominated actress opened up about the difficulties of portraying “Defying Gravity.” It seems she faced powerful studio drafts and had to master complex vocal gymnastics simultaneously.

While discussing her aerial singing experience, Erivo explained, “To generate the required sound, you rely on expanding your ribcage from your back and sides to produce air, and tensing muscles in various parts – legs, body, chest, back, neck – to mimic the sensation of gravity. Lastly, it’s essential to infuse the lyrics with meaning and intent.

As a lifestyle expert, I can’t help but express my admiration for Cynthia Erivo’s unparalleled dedication. Her performance was nothing short of extraordinary, a testament to her multitalented abilities. In the eyes of cinematographer Alice Brooks, she is more than just an actress – she’s a force to be reckoned with, effortlessly executing each stunt and delivering live vocals that left everyone in awe.

“I don’t know how she did it,” Brooks told Deadline.

In a unique twist on the original Broadway performance of “Defying Gravity” by Erivo, she added a special, personal touch to the final note of the song.

In her own words, Erivo revealed that she stuck closely to the musical’s authentic structure. To discover her distinctive touch, she sought guidance from Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz and arranger Stephen Oremus. After several tries, she finally settled on a rendition they found suitable, which ended up being included in the final recording.

Jon M. Chu shared with Deadline that when Erivo chose to sing the song live rather than using a prerecorded track, everyone in the studio was captivated. He praised her exceptional vocal abilities, which allowed her to perform the scene sincerely, leaving those on set speechless and teary-eyed.

Following her completion of the task, I glanced about, finding the entire team teary-eyed. I thought to myself, ‘I sure hope we started recording.’ This was as shared by Chu.

Wicked: Part Two, officially titled Wicked: For Good, is set to release on November 21, 2025.

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2025-01-04 12:23