Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo joined Wicked legends Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel for a powerful rendition of “For Good” during the “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” special. The performance wasn’t just a song — it was a full-circle moment, a bridge between generations of Wicked fans. You could feel the emotion in every note, as if Glinda and Elphaba were truly saying goodbye to each other — and maybe, in some way, to us too.
When Wicked first opened in London twenty years ago, I remember the buzz that filled the air. Everyone was curious about this bold new musical that dared to reimagine The Wizard of Oz from the witches’ point of view. Idina Menzel’s Elphaba was electric — fierce, misunderstood, and heartbreakingly human. Kristin Chenoweth’s Glinda, all sparkle and sunshine, balanced that intensity with humor and heart. Together, they created a story that went far beyond magic and emerald cities.
For many of us, Wicked became a soundtrack to our adolescence — a story about friendship, identity, and what it means to be “good.” It wasn’t just a show; it was a lesson in empathy. It taught us that sometimes the so-called “wicked” are only those brave enough to stand apart, and that goodness isn’t about perfection, but about compassion.
Now, as the Wicked film nears release, that same green magic is coming alive again — this time for a new generation. Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba feel like destiny fulfilled. For Ariana, especially, this role is deeply personal. She’s spoken for years about how Wicked inspired her to sing, how Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth shaped her musical dreams. To see her now — dressed in pink, surrounded by the world of Oz — feels like watching a childhood wish take flight.
But with every new beginning, there’s a touch of melancholy. Watching last night’s performance, I couldn’t help but feel that familiar ache — the sense that something beautiful is coming full circle. Wicked has been part of our lives for so long that saying goodbye to this era feels almost impossible. Will the movie mark the end of an era, or the start of a new one?
Perhaps Wicked will become something we return to every year — a modern classic, like The Sound of Music or The Wizard of Oz itself. A film that families watch during the holidays, that singers study, and that dreamers hold close when they need to believe that even outcasts can change the world.
Because that’s the real magic of Wicked. It’s not just about witches or spells; it’s about the friendships that shape us, the moments that change us, and the courage to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s hard. It’s about being brave enough to fly — and to say goodbye when it’s time.
As “For Good” reminds us,
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.
And maybe that’s why Wicked will never really leave us. Even when the curtain falls or the credits roll, its message — of love, friendship, and finding your true self — will live on. Some magic, after all, never fades.
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