Jon M. Chu’s much-anticipated and star-studded musical epic Wicked saw its Los Angeles premiere Saturday, held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
In attendance were Part 1‘s main cast — in hues of iridescent pink and lush green — including powerhouse duo Ariana Grande (who portrays Glinda the Good Witch) and Cynthia Erivo (playing Elphaba), as well as Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and Ethan Slater. Bowen Yang was not pictured in attendance, likely due to his commitments as a featured player on Saturday Night Live. However, one of the most notable absences was that of helmer Chu, who had a bit of a scheduling conflict as he awaited the birth of his fifth child.
Also gracing the red carpet were original Broadway cast members Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who originated Glinda and Elphaba’s roles onstage.
Releasing Nov. 22 in theaters, the adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway production — itself based on Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel, which retells the story of The Wizard of Oz from the point of view of the Wicked Witch of the West — follows Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship prior to their eventual destinies.
Speaking to Deadline ahead of the premiere, stars Erivo and Grande gushed about their real-life friendship forged through the film’s intimacy and emotional honesty: “For some reason, we just connected immediately. Our voices really worked together. And I think from that moment on, we’ve been building, and it’s been the most fruitful relationship of my life,” Erivo said.
Scroll below to see the red carpet looks from the LA premiere:
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
British actress and singer Cynthia Erivo (L) and US singer-songwriter and actress Ariana Grande attend Universal’s Wicked premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, November 9, 2024.
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Ariana Grande
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Cynthia Erivo
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Jonathan Bailey
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Michelle Yeoh
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Jeff Goldblum
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Ethan Slater
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Kristin Chenoweth
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Idina Menzel
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Ariana Grande’s family, including Edward Butera, Joan Grande and Frankie Grande
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Bronwyn James
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Ashley Tisdale
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande share a laugh on the red carpet
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
(L-R): Cast members Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey and Bronwyn James
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Sheryl Lee Ralph
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Marissa Bode
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Troye Sivan
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Hayley Kiyoko
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Jenn Tran
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Lena Waithe
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Costume designer Paul Tazewell
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Cinematographer Alice Brooks
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Normani
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Sophia Bush
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
(L-R) Kevin McHale and Austin P. McKenzie
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Alyah Scott
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Chrishell Stause
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Karrueche Tran
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Michaela Jaé Rodriguez
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Los Angeles Premiere Of Universal Pictures ‘Wicked’
Victoria Monét and daughter Hazel Monét