Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Channel Their Teen Selves in Emotional New ‘Wicked’ Commercial
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo might be powerful witches now, but years ago, they were simply munchkins with big dreams.
And in a new Xfinity commercial that premiered Tuesday (Nov. 12), fans are reminded of the long yellow brick road both women took to make their dreams come true through being cast in Wicked, which stars the “Yes, And?” pop star as Glinda and the Pinocchio actress as Elphaba. Directed by Wicked cinematographer Alice Brooks, the two-minute spot opens with two little girls resembling a young Grande and Erivo separately watching The Wizard of Oz on their home TVs and becoming involved with musical theater.
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As the girls grow older, real-life Grande and Erivo step in to play their younger selves. Viewers see the temporarily brunette-again R.E.M. Beauty founder typing out her now-iconic 2011 tweet — “Loved seeing Wicked again … Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life!” — and the Tony Award winner belting out a song before the two women eventually meet in an empty soundstage, taking each other’s hands.
In a behind-the-scenes video posted the same day as the commercial — which shows footage of the two stars blocking scenes and listening intently to Brooks’ instructions — the director explained that the ad is “about colliding destinies.” “It was really important to me that [Grande and Erivo] feel real and raw and tangible, and that other little kids — and grownups, anyone with a dream — will be able to connect to it,” the director added. “The story just flows seamlessly together as we intercut their lives.”
Both videos come just 10 days away from the premiere of the first Wicked film, with the second part to hit theaters one year later. Leading up to Part 1’s arrival, Erivo, Grande and the rest of the cast have been traveling the world to attend various premieres, from Australia to Los Angeles and — most recently — Mexico City. At the Monday (Nov. 11) screening at Auditorio Nacional, the Harriet star and Victorious alum looked stunning in a gothic black dress and pearlescent ballgown, respectively, and at one point held each other’s hands while looking emotional as fans at the red carpet began cheering, “Wicked! Wicked! Wicked!”
Watch Grande and Erivo’s new commercial above, and check out the behind-the-scenes footage below.
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