Moana star Auli’i Cravalho speaks out in defense of the emotional moments from the Wicked press tour, which recently went viral. The press tour included a heartfelt interview where Out magazine reporter Tracy Gilchrist shared how audiences—particularly queer viewers—were “really holding space” for the iconic song “Defying Gravity,” leaving the film’s stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo visibly emotional. The interviewer’s reference to “holding space” sparked a wave of memes online, with some poking fun at the stars’ teary-eyed responses throughout the tour.
In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Cravalho stood up for Grande and Erivo, passionately defending the emotions on display during the press tour. Both leading stars play pivotal roles in the two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, with Grande as Glinda and Erivo as Elphaba. Cravalho, no stranger to musical theater, appreciates the vulnerability required for such roles. Here’s what she had to say:
I need people to understand what it’s like to be a theater kid. Being a theater kid is emotional. Get off my girls Ariana and Cynthia’s backs. Do you understand me? You don’t know what it’s like to be working on a film for this long. The film is two hours and 40 minutes long. If you’re not crying after working with someone for that long, and you’re both theater kids and you’re singing live… I am very passionate about this.
What Cravalho’s Defense Of Wicked’s Press Tour Means
The Dedication Behind Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo’s Performance
Cravalho’s defense of the Wicked press tour highlights the emotional and artistic challenges behind a musical theater performance, and the difficulty of translating that role into film. Cravalho herself has a history in musical theater, starting off the year as the edgy Janis ’Imi’ike in Tina Fey’s Mean Girls movie musical, and ending with a Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. She returns to the big screen with her lovely voice this month, reprising her role as Moana in Moana 2. The actor knows well the intense preparation and vulnerability required for roles like those in Wicked.
Both Grande and Erivo opted to sing live during the filming of Wicked rather than lip-syncing to pre-recorded tracks. Singing live in a film production presents unique challenges, like the physical demands of perfecting vocals while being strapped to a harness sailing through the air or acting to capture the emotional nuances of Wicked‘s songs in real time. The stars’ willingness to embrace these challenges reflects their commitment to staying true to the original Broadway experience, where it’s not just about hitting the right notes; it’s about channeling raw emotion in the moment.
Our Take On Cravalho’s Defense Of The Wicked Press Tour
Wicked’s Emotional Press Tour Deserves Appreciation
Cravalho’s defense of Grande and Erivo is a rallying cry for theater kids everywhere. The teary-eyed vulnerability displayed during the Wicked press tour is a testament to the dedication and heart these performers bring to their craft. Cravalho’s words not only validate the passion of Grande and Erivo but also shed light on the often-overlooked intensity of creating art that resonates so deeply with its audience.
The internet’s reaction may have veered into jest, but Cravalho’s impassioned defense reminds us of the genuine love and effort behind projects like Wicked. As fans continue to crowd the theaters to watch The Wizard of Oz-inspired musical, the heartfelt moments from the press tour only add to the excitement. Theater kids wear their hearts on their sleeves—and that’s something worth celebrating.
Source: VF
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
- Director
- Jon M. Chu
- Release Date
- November 22, 2024
- Studio(s)
- Marc Platt Productions
- Distributor(s)
- Universal Pictures
- Writers
- Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum
- Cast
- Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd
- Character(s)
- Elphaba Thropp , Glinda Upland , Madame Morrible , The Wizard , Fiyero Tigelaar , Boq , Nessarose Thropp , Pfannee , ShenShen , Miss Coddle , Doctor Dillamond (voice) , Avaric Tenmeadows , Gilligan , Professor Nikidik , Glinda’s Father , Governor Frexspar Thropp , Melena Thropp , The Midwife
- Runtime
- 160 Minutes
