Following the theatrical release of 'Wicked: For Good' on November 21, 2025, stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo posted heartfelt social media tributes bidding farewell to their characters Glinda and Elphaba. The film, the second installment in Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the Broadway musical, opened to a record-breaking $150 million domestically and $226 million globally. The actresses reflected on their transformative journeys through Oz in emotional captions accompanying behind-the-scenes footage.
Release and Box Office Success
'Wicked: For Good' premiered in theaters on November 21, 2025, concluding the two-part cinematic adaptation of the hit Broadway musical that reimagines the backstory of 'The Wizard of Oz.' Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, alongside Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh. It achieved a massive opening weekend, earning $150 million in the U.S. and $226 million worldwide, marking the biggest debut for a Broadway musical adaptation.
Emotional Tributes from the Stars
On November 21, Grande shared a series of unseen on-set moments on Instagram, including her arrival at her trailer and preparations for Glinda's iconic pink gowns. 'Thank you, my sweet Glinda, for everything,' she wrote. 'I will love you always … ‘Wicked: For Good’ is out now.'
Erivo posted a lengthy tribute featuring images of her as Elphaba, such as soaring on a broomstick and walking the yellow brick road. 'I could write you an essay, a poem, Shakespearean prose, to describe what this journey has meant to me,' she captioned. 'Take my hand and walk with me to the end of this road paved with gold, and hopefully, the things that I’ve found might find you too. Thank you for letting me be your Elphaba. All my love, C.'
The official 'Wicked' account amplified their sentiments with a video montage of Grande and Erivo hugging and dancing on set, captioned 'A friendship that changed us for good.'
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The film's ending honors the Broadway original with a cameo by Dorothy and nods to the classic poster, as explained by sources close to production. Additionally, the extravagant wedding scene for Glinda features a 25-meter veil and a dramatic animal stampede, symbolizing the contrasting paths of the leads. These elements underscore the movie's themes of friendship, power, and liberation in Oz.
