Ariana Grande Maintained Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba Ear Prosthetics
Being in "Wicked" was a long-awaited dream come true for Ariana Grande, who portrays Glinda in the movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. The experience has been a major highlight for her, leading her to keep a few mementos from set, including a prop key that aided Cynthia Erivo's transformation into Elphaba.
For anyone keeping tabs on the friendship between Grande and Erivo, the duo has openly discussed their matching "For Good" and poppy tattoos, symbolizing their strong bond, akin to the real-life Glinda and Elphaba they embody on screen. Recently, a new detail of their friendship story surfaced: Grande does indeed possess Erivo's prosthetic ears from the shoot.
During an interview with BBC Radio 1, Grande confirmed the odd keepsake's presence and her unique storage method. "Right now they're just next to the printer, like with pens and the printer, and then... Cynthia's ears." She jokes about using them as a conversation starter with guests, before admitting that framing them feels strange.
As for Erivo's potential mementos from Grande, it's unclear if she kept anything. Friends show appreciation in many ways, and this unique bond between Grande and Erivo is a testament to their shared love for their "Wicked" characters.
During the interview, Grande shares one of her favorite moments on set: Erivo winking at her during the film's powerful "Defying Gravity" performance, a subtle gesture that helped anchor Grande during Glinda's emotional turmoil. While it nearly caused Grande to break character, she managed to maintain her composure, and director Jon M. Chu decided to keep the moment in the final cut.
Grande describes the wink as a powerful display of unconditional love, affirming that even though they must grow apart, they will always have each other's support.
"Wicked" is now in theaters and available digitally. "Wicked: For Good" premieres this Thanksgiving. For more io9 news, look out for updates on upcoming "Marvel," "Star Wars," and "Star Trek" releases, the future of the "DC Universe," and the latest developments in "Doctor Who."
(Enrichment data used sparingly to supplement the base article where necessary)
[1: Heatworld article on Wicked souvenirs (not applicable to the actresses' personal keepsakes)][2: Interview discussing Ariana Grande's involvement and enjoyment in Wicked][3: Emotional depth and significance of Cynthia Erivo's role as Elphaba]
In the world of entertainment, technology continues to shape the future of movie-making, and io9 is at the forefront of covering these developments. Ariana Grande's unique keepsake from her "Wicked" co-star, Cynthia Erivo, serves as a testament to this, showcasing how technology allows for such intricate props and prosthetics in movies. The friendship between Grande and Erivo, as portrayed in the movie adaptation, is sure to inspire future collaborations in the world of movies.
