While Wicked captivated audiences with its captivating narrative and captivating production, the process of bringing the Land of Oz to life wasn’t entirely filled with rainbows and bubble dresses. Behind the glittering sets and captivating vocals lay moments of tension, near misses, and unexpected challenges. Ready to pull back the emerald curtain? Let’s dive into the untold secrets—both spellbinding and shadowy—of Wicked!
1. Ariana Almost Quit
The weight of playing Glinda, combined with live singing, intense choreography, and social media pressure, reportedly left Ariana Grande questioning her ability to do justice to the role. She later credited Cynthia Erivo’s support as the reason she stayed. “Cynthia reminded me why I love this character,” Ariana said.
2. Director’s Pressure Cooker
Director Jon M. Chu faced immense pressure, with some insiders saying he came close to stepping away after disputes over budget cuts and creative differences with Universal. The studio’s $160 million investment didn’t leave much room for error.
3. The Green Paint Health Scare
Cynthia Erivo experienced an allergic reaction to one of the early green paint formulas. The makeup team scrambled to find a hypoallergenic blend, delaying production by two weeks. Cynthia later joked, “Being green isn’t easy—it’s itchy!” 🟢
4. A Stunt Almost Went Horribly Wrong
During one of Cynthia’s Defying Gravity stunts, the harness unexpectedly released mid-rehearsal, causing her to drop several feet. Thankfully, the safety net caught her, but production halted for three days to review safety protocols.
5. Ariana and Cynthia’s COVID Struggles
Both leading ladies contracted COVID-19 during production, forcing them to perform their biggest numbers (Glinda’s “Popular” and Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity”) just days after recovering. Cynthia joked, “I was literally defying gravity… and COVID.”
6. Jonathan Bailey Nearly Walked Away
Jonathan Bailey, who plays Fiyero, reportedly clashed with the choreography team over the dangerous “Dancing Through Life” tornado wheel set. Rumour has it he threatened to quit if his safety concerns weren’t addressed. 🌪️
7. The Chandelier Drama
Ariana’s chandelier swing in “Popular” caused more than one scare. During a take, the chandelier tilted unexpectedly, almost crashing into the set. Crew members rushed to stabilise it, saving the day—and Ariana’s solo. 🕯️
8. Budget Battles
The film’s $160 million budget was a source of constant tension. The studio demanded cuts to practical effects, pushing for more CGI, but Jon M. Chu fought to keep the sets authentic. “I wanted the world of Oz to feel real, not just green screen,” Chu said.
9. Fake Friendships on Set
While Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande bonded deeply, not all cast members got along. Insiders whispered about “icy” interactions between certain actors, especially during long, gruelling shoots.
10. Kristin Chenoweth Almost Declined to Appear
Original Glinda Kristin Chenoweth was hesitant to cameo, saying she didn’t want to overshadow Ariana’s performance. She eventually agreed after being reassured it was a symbolic “passing of the wand.” 🎀
11. The Costume Designer Almost Quit
Paul Tazewell, the Oscar-nominated costume designer, reportedly threatened to walk off set after production refused his request for extra time to perfect Elphaba’s gown. The issue was resolved when Cynthia Erivo intervened, backing Tazewell’s vision.
12. Emotional Meltdowns
Filming the intense emotional scenes, especially “For Good,” left both Cynthia and Ariana in tears multiple times. Ariana admitted to crying so much during one take that the crew had to pause filming to let her regain composure.
13. The “No-Fly” Panic
In an eerie parallel to Broadway’s infamous “no-fly” shows, the Defying Gravity rig malfunctioned during filming, leaving Cynthia stuck midair for nearly 30 minutes. The crew eventually got her down, but not before she quipped, “I’m just going to sing from up here!”
14. Tough Choreography Criticism
Some cast members felt the choreography pushed them to their limits, with several dancers voicing concerns about the physically demanding routines. One called it “the hardest project I’ve ever worked on.”
15. Ariana’s Vocal Struggles
Despite her Broadway roots, Ariana found singing live while dancing and acting incredibly challenging. She reportedly sought private coaching mid-production to ensure her vocals stayed strong.
16. The Emotional Toll of Elphaba
Cynthia Erivo admitted that Elphaba’s emotional depth and isolation hit her hard. “There were days I went home feeling completely drained,” she said. “Elphaba’s pain stays with you.”
17. Insurance Nightmares
The tornado wheel set in “Dancing Through Life” caused so many injuries and close calls that the insurance company nearly pulled coverage, delaying filming for weeks.
18. Nick Jonas’s Heartbreak
Nick Jonas auditioned for Fiyero, and insiders say he was “devastated” not to land the role. He later tweeted his support for Jonathan Bailey, proving there’s no bad blood in Oz.
19. Idina Menzel Almost Said No
Idina Menzel, the original Elphaba, was hesitant to cameo, saying she didn’t want to overshadow Cynthia’s performance. She finally agreed, citing her love for the story and fans.
20. The Tulip Field Controversy
While the nine million tulips in Munchkinland were stunning, environmental critics called out the production for excessive water use during a drought. The studio later donated to conservation efforts to offset the impact.
21. The Cast Had to Relearn “Ozian” Pronunciations
To maintain consistency with the Broadway show, the cast underwent a crash course in the peculiar dialect of Oz, ensuring every “Wizamania” was pronounced perfectly.
22. Glinda’s Crown Drama
Glinda’s bubble crown went through dozens of redesigns, with one version so heavy it gave Ariana neck pain. The final design was light enough to wear all day but still sparkled like magic. 👑
23. Script Disputes
Writers debated how much of Elphaba and Glinda’s backstory to reveal, with some scenes cut for pacing. Fans are hoping these moments will appear in Part Two.
24. The Unluckiest Horse
Jonathan Bailey’s horse, Jack, was spooked by the tornado set and had to be calmed down multiple times. “Poor Jack didn’t sign up for Oz!” Bailey joked.
25. Ariana’s Teary First Day
Ariana, overwhelmed by stepping into Kristin Chenoweth’s legendary shoes, broke down in tears on her first day as Glinda. “I had to remind myself I’m my Glinda,” she said.
26. The First-Ever Green Screen-Free Oz
Jon M. Chu insisted on practical sets over CGI, but this decision extended filming by months. The Yellow Brick Road was literally built brick by brick!
27. Cynthia Lost Her Voice
Singing live during cold weather scenes caused Cynthia to lose her voice temporarily, halting production for a week. “It was scary,” she admitted, “but the Oz team took great care of me.”
28. Jonathan Bailey’s Twirl Troubles
Bailey’s dance training paid off for Fiyero, but one tornado spin left him dizzy enough to fall flat on set. “I wasn’t dancing through life that day!” he joked.
29. Behind-the-Scenes Tensions
Rumours swirled about tension between Universal execs and the creative team, especially after budget cuts were proposed mid-filming.
30. The Hardest Scene to Film
The For Good duet took days to perfect due to emotional weight, choreography, and intricate camera work. The cast and crew referred to it as the essence of the film.
31. The Costume Fire Incident
One of Elphaba’s early costumes accidentally caught fire during a special effects scene. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the dress had to be remade from scratch.
32. The Real Reason It’s in Two Parts
The decision to split Wicked into two films wasn’t just for storytelling—it was also driven by scheduling conflicts with the cast and the sheer amount of material to cover.
33. Part Two Will Be Even Darker
There are rumours that the sequel will delve deeper into the dark political themes of Oz, providing fans with a more gritty perspective on the story. The journey to Oz wasn’t always smooth, but the results are nothing short of magical. Are you ready for Part Two?
