Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Embrace 'Method Dressing' for 'Wicked' Press Tour

The stars of the new “Wicked” movie are getting ready for a big press tour in a unique way. They decided to wear color-coordinated outfits on the red carpet at the Oscars in Los Angeles.

Cynthia Erivo chose to wear a stunning emerald-green custom leather Louis Vuitton gown with ruffle sleeves and a train. This outfit was a nod to her character Elphaba, who is known for being a bit "wicked". On the other hand, Ariana Grande, her co-star in the movie, wore a beautiful bubblegum-pink gown by Giambattista Valli. This look was perfect for her role as the "good" witch Glinda.

Cynthia Erivo arrives at the Oscars channeling her character Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West in the fictional world of Oz.

Cynthia Erivo arrives at the Oscars channeling her character Elphaba, Wicked Witch of the West in the fictional world of Oz.

During E!'s pre-Oscars show, Cynthia Erivo spoke with red carpet regular Laverne Cox. Erivo revealed that her dress was inspired by the "witchy texture" of leather. Later on, their co-star Michelle Yeoh, who plays Madame Morrible in the same production, referred to Ariana Grande as "a total princess, my princess."

"Wicked" is a retelling of "The Wizard of Oz" inspired by Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West." The story focuses on the lives of two friends, Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland, before and after the unexpected arrival of Dorothy Gale.

The popular Tony-award-winning Broadway musical, which the upcoming Jon M. Chu-directed movie is based on, narrates the tale from the perspectives of Elphaba, who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, who transforms into Glinda the Good. Throughout the narrative, the two friends face conflicts due to their differing personalities, romantic interests, and political beliefs, yet eventually form a strong bond.

"Method dressing" has become a significant trend in the entertainment industry, where actors infuse elements of their on-screen characters into their fashion choices. This practice is now a key feature at awards shows, press tours, and even fashion events. The stars of "Dune: Part Two," including Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet, and Florence Pugh, have recently embraced this trend by sporting futuristic, sci-fi inspired outfits that mirror their movie roles. Similarly, the cast of "Barbie" made a splash on the red carpet last year, with Margot Robbie captivating fans by showcasing various historically accurate Barbie-inspired looks at each premiere.

Erivo and Grande even attended the 2024 Super Bowl in custom Louis Vuitton jerseys.

Erivo and Grande even attended the 2024 Super Bowl in custom Louis Vuitton jerseys.

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Erivo and Grande seem to be leading the way. They both sported custom football jerseys at the Super Bowl earlier this year. The jerseys both had the number 27, a reference to November 27, which is the US release date of the first part of the movie.

Grande shared her thoughts on the pressure of taking on such a beloved project with Vanessa Hudgens on the Oscars pre-show red carpet. She mentioned the challenge of satisfying the fans while also bringing a fresh perspective to the characters that have been cherished for two decades. It's about discovering new aspects of the characters and putting our own spin on them.

Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who originally played Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, showed their support for Erivo and Grande when they were cast in the roles in 2021.

Menzel shared on Instagram, "Congrats to two amazing women! May this opportunity bring positive changes to your lives just like it did for us. Sending lots of love your way."

Editor's P/S:

The stars of the upcoming "Wicked" movie, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, are setting the bar high for red carpet fashion. Their decision to wear color-coordinated outfits inspired by their characters, Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, is a testament to their commitment to their roles. This "method dressing" trend, where actors incorporate elements of their on-screen characters into their wardrobe, adds an extra layer of authenticity and excitement to the entertainment industry.

Erivo's emerald-green leather gown perfectly captures the "wicked" nature of Elphaba, while Grande's bubblegum-pink dress embodies Glinda's "good" persona. Their matching jerseys at the Super Bowl further showcased their dedication to the movie's theme. The support from original Broadway stars Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth highlights the significance of this project for the fans. The "Wicked" movie promises to bring a fresh take on the beloved story, and the fashion choices of its stars are a testament to the passion and creativity behind it.