Hundreds of fans had their dreams come true on Nov 13 when they got to catch a glimpse of Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and the rest of the cast of Wicked: For Good in Singapore.
Ahead of the fantasy musical movie sequel’s Asia-Pacific premiere at Universal Studios Singapore later that day, people in a sea of pink and green gathered at three-storey mall Weave in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) for a public fan meet.
An impromptu karaoke session ensued in the hour leading up to the stars’ arrival, as audience members showed off their singing chops and belted out their favourite tunes from the first film Wicked (2024).
After taking time to sign autographs and snap selfies, Grande, Erivo, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum and director Jon M. Chu took to a stage at 5.30pm to address the crowd, some of whom had begun queuing as early as 9am on Nov 13.
The loudest screams were heard for the film’s leading ladies, American pop star and actress Grande and British actress-singer Erivo.
“We love you so much and we’re so excited for you to see this film. Thank you for making this so special,” said Grande, 32, shimmering in a sequined pastel pink frock.
“We are all so delighted by the love in Singapore. We were here for Crazy Rich Asians, and now Wicked,” added Oscar-winning Malaysian actress Yeoh, 63. She was referring to the Chu-directed 2018 romantic comedy film that was shot in Singapore and which she starred in.
When asked by the event’s emcee what he liked most about the city state, American actor Goldblum, 73, replied jovially: “The people. I want to move here.”
Chu, 46, who had been panning his iPhone around to capture the 25-minute event in the name of “always working”, said: “It feels good to be in Singapore today. I love to come to Singapore to eat and to be creative.”
The most elaborately dressed attendees – some were togged in full ball gowns and princess costumes – were the regional influencers flown in from territories including the Philippines and Taiwan.
Local secondary school classmates Rebecca Lee and Meghna Rajesh Prabhu, both 14, made use of their school holidays to queue at 11am.
They crocheted mini dolls of Glinda and Elphaba, as well as Glinda’s wand, and brought drawings in hopes of passing the gifts to Grande and Erivo.
“We came to see Ariana because we love her music,” said Rebecca.
Opening in Singapore cinemas on Nov 20, Wicked: For Good wraps up the origin story of Glinda The Good and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, reprised by Grande and Erivo respectively, in a heart-wrenching retelling of the Oz characters’ unlikely friendship.
In anticipation of the event, Sentosa Sensoryscape at RWS has been transformed into the magical Land of Oz, complete with an Emerald City installation, Glinda’s Bubble and the Yellow Brick Road.
Singapore is the only Asian stop in the international promotional tour for Wicked: For Good, and follows Sao Paulo, Paris and London. The tour will come to a rousing finale in New York City on Nov 17. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
