Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has issued a devastating health update, leaving fans heartbroken as the new film hits cinema screens.
The long-awaited sequel Wicked: For Good has arrived with staggering box office force, cementing itself as one of the biggest cinematic events of the year just days after its release.
Opening globally on Friday, November 21, the follow-up to 2024’s Wicked instantly rewrote the record books.
That figure comfortably outpaced the original film’s already impressive $164.2 million debut.
The film also became the largest international opening ever for a stage musical adaptation.
With those kinds of figures, it is little surprise that awards chatter is already building around the film’s two leads, Ariana Grande and Erivo.
But, while the numbers tell a story of triumph, the road to release has been anything but smooth.
The promotional campaign for Wicked: For Good was plagued by a series of chaotic and unsettling moments.
At the Singapore red carpet premiere last month, an Australian vlogger breached security by jumping a barrier and physically grabbing Grande in front of cameras and fans.
It was Erivo who reacted first, stepping in immediately as the situation unfolded.
The man was swiftly taken into custody by local authorities and later sentenced to nine days in jail.
He has since been permanently banned from entering Singapore.
More disruption followed when Grande contracted Covid-19 during the later stages of the international press tour.
The illness forced her to drastically shorten her public appearances, pulling her away from interviews and red carpet events at a critical time in the film’s marketing rollout.
Alongside the logistical chaos, a troubling online narrative has also taken hold in recent weeks.
Across social media platforms, a growing number of videos and posts have focused on the physical appearances of Wicked: For Good’s leading stars.
Much of this commentary centers on what users describe as extreme thinness, accompanied by speculation about eating disorders and darker behind-the-scenes theories.
The trend has become known in some online circles as the ‘Wicked Effect.’
Supporters of this theory typically share side-by-side images comparing the cast’s appearances from the mid-to-late 2010s with more recent promotional photos from Wicked: For Good.
In these comparisons, figures such as Grande, Erivo, and Michelle Yeoh are shown in earlier images with fuller faces and broad smiles, next to newer photos where they appear noticeably slimmer.
Amid all of this noise, concern from fans reached new levels following the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good.
Erivo made a striking appearance on the red carpet alongside Grande and posed for official photographs as normal.
However, one key detail did not go unnoticed – she did not take part in any press interviews.
Shortly after, Universal Pictures issued a statement explaining her absence from the press line.
It read that Erivo ‘is not feeling well and has lost her voice,’ adding that both she and Grande ‘will not be doing interviews this evening.’
The explanation immediately sparked waves of concern online, with fans dissecting footage from the premiere and sharing messages of support for the performer.
Grande herself addressed the situation directly while speaking to a live audience at the event.
“I’m not letting her speak. She has to rest her voice,” she said, making it clear that Erivo’s health was the priority.
Although Erivo remained present throughout the evening and continued to pose for cameras, her silence in the interview zone stood out.
For many watchers, it served as a sobering reminder of just how fragile and vital a singer’s voice truly is.
For professional vocalists, being placed on vocal rest is a serious medical directive.
It is often prescribed for conditions such as laryngitis, vocal cord strain, nodules and other voice-related injuries that can worsen if ignored.
While no detailed diagnosis regarding Erivo’s condition has been made public, the instruction for her to avoid speaking indicates that doctors believe her voice requires time to recover.
For someone whose career depends so entirely on vocal strength, rest is not just precautionary – it is essential.
