World News
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Sing Live in ‘Wicked’ Movie: A Bold Choice for Authenticity
Nov
Behind the Scenes of ‘Wicked’: Live Performances on Set
For the highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo opted to sing live during filming—a rare choice in musical cinema. Director Jon M. Chu and the team decided on this approach to maintain an authentic sound, capturing the emotional rawness in each song, as opposed to the traditional pre-recorded tracks.
Ariana Grande as Glinda: A Test of Vocal Precision
Playing Glinda, Ariana Grande brought her signature vocal style to each take, singing operatic runs live and reaching high notes on set. Her live rendition of “No One Mourns the Wicked” showcases her range and adaptability in a role beloved by Broadway fans, proving her capability to meet the challenge of live performance without pre-recorded assistance.
Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba: Emotion and Depth in “Defying Gravity”
Cynthia Erivo, cast as Elphaba, tackled the demanding “Defying Gravity” with vocal preparation that moved the cast and crew. Her commitment to delivering this iconic piece in real time added a palpable intensity to her performance, ensuring that her rendition is both grounded in skill and deeply emotional—a factor the team felt was essential for her character.
Jon M. Chu’s Vision for Musical Authenticity
Director Jon M. Chu emphasized the uniqueness of Grande’s and Erivo’s vocal talents, which led him to abandon typical dubbing techniques. Inspired by the live singing approach of films like Les Misérables, Chu felt the live vocals would make Wicked stand out, embracing a raw and immersive viewing experience where each note and emotion is uniquely captured in the moment.
Legacy and Future Impact of the Live Performance Choice
With both stars demonstrating their skill and dedication to live singing, Wicked could set a precedent for future musical films. Grande and Erivo’s live performances provide an immersive experience for fans, likely influencing future directors and actors to consider this more challenging but rewarding route, potentially redefining audience expectations for movie musicals.
From dragontrendtees