Wicked: For Good comes out on November 21. Last year, many of us were skeptical about even seeing the first part, which represented Act I of the Broadway musical. A lot of that changed, however, due to a combination of Wicked’s absolutely bonkers fun press tour, which left us with some incredible virtual moments such as the “holding space” interview, and the movie speaking for itself. I admit that I was skeptical and completely wrong. As for this year’s press, I don’t need them to go overboard with the promotion, but I really hope the next few weeks give us some really fun moments.
We may have just gotten our first PR tidbit. While it’s not a quotable viral moment, Ariana Grande revealed over the weekend that she and Cynthia Erivo got matching tattoos! Both tattoos say “For Good.” Ari’s is in the middle of her palm while Cynthia’s is placed along the outer rim of her palm, at the base of her thumb. How very Fellowship of the Ring of them!
“Happy wicked month @wickedmovie ♡ 20 days,” Grande captioned the post, which featured a photo of herself and Erivo, 38, on set, along with a photo of their hands, which revealed they got matching “For Good” tattoos inked on their palms.
The cast and crew of Wicked have been candid about how the popstar and the Tony winner — who play Galinda and Elphaba, respectively — have developed an extremely close bond while starring in the Broadway musical adaptation.
Director Jon M. Chu told PEOPLE on Oct. 28 that “it was one of the most beautiful friendships to watch grow.”
“These two are the two biggest voices in the world, maybe in our lifetime. They could have hated each other,” Chu, 46, said of Wicked’s leading ladies. “There could have been insane divaship, but they always put Wicked bigger than themselves, and I think that’s a great sign of a great artist that they could immerse themselves in Elphaba and Galinda and they could find themselves within these characters.”
“And I think it only makes Elphaba and Galinda bigger than life, and we get to know them more intimately than ever,” he added. “I think that’s why it feels culturally relevant because of what they’re bringing to these characters. It made my job a lot easier.”
For the big-screen version of Wicked, Erivo and Grande stepped into roles originated by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway.
“I loved watching all of that happen. I got the front-row seats. I loved them so much,” Chu told PEOPLE. “They were family. We could have director and actor talks and we could have brother/sister talks, and so that meant the world to me.”
It makes sense that Ariana and Cynthia would commemorate their time on Wicked with matching tattoos. I believe that the experience bonded them and changed both of their lives. That said, I can’t wait to hear the story behind this, like why they went with their palms. I love the way Cynthia’s tattoo looks. Ari’s is fine too, but I can’t look at either without wondering how much it would hurt! I also love John Chu’s observation: “They could have hated each other. There could have been insane divaship, but they always put Wicked bigger than themselves…” He’s 100% right. I’m a gossip girl of the 90s/00s and remember when talented women were pitted in rivalries in order to sell tabloids. Good for Ari and Cynthia for being secure enough to recognize that they and the movie are better together.
Cynthia popped up at the LAMCA gala this past weekend in a strapless Schiaparelli gown that was covered in eyes. It was a great fit. The cap and her shoes(!!) were stunning. While that particular pattern isn’t my personal taste, she looked great. I’ll give it a pass for both Halloween and a Wizard of Oz all-seeing eye motif.
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- MUSEUM ROW, MIRACLE MILE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, USA – NOVEMBER 01: Cynthia Erivo wearing Schiaparelli FW25 Couture arrives at the 14th Annual LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) Art + Film Gala 2025 presented by Gucci held at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 1, 2025 in Museum Row, Miracle Mile, Los Angeles, California, United States.,Image: 1049884036, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Pictured: Cynthia Erivo, Credit line: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon
Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon, Avalon.red/Avalon, IMAGO/David Jones/Avalon, Alan D West/Avalon
Here they go again. I’ll have to block both their names on my socials to avoid how annoying this promotion with em specifically will be.
It felt like the promotion for the first movie lasted 10 years….
I can’t wait to never watch this movie.
I share your thoughts on palm tattoo, Rosie. Was recently getting a tattoo and there was a woman getting a palm tattoo in the studio. She didn’t seem to be too bothered but I was thinking about the practicalities and aftercare of it!
Yeah…as someone with multiple (22, to be exact) tattoos, I can confirm that most artists will politely point a customer away from anything on your palm. Note, I said MOST. All of my artists refused to do it because of A) the risk of infection/irritation which will mean a complicated and painful healing process, B) the propensity of the tattoo to “blow out” – go all fuzzy and blobby – within a VERY short span of time, and C) the pain factor and potential for nerve damage. There’s a lot less meat in the palm, and the layers of skin aren’t as elastic as the skin on say, an arm or leg. Hence the issues with “blow out”. Especially with something delicate like lettering. But I suppose if someone might have endless discretionary income and the time/energy to have the same area touched up repeatedly for the rest of their life, go for it. You do you, boo (as they say).
Now will some artists do this sort of tattoo without a second thought? Yup. But most reputable artists will recommend that if you absolutely MUST get a hand tattoo, you get it on the back of your hand or on your wrist. Hell, even the serif font roman numeral tattoo on the inside of my wrist is looking a little like it’s got Barbara Walters “soft focus” on, and I am fastidious about caring for my tattoos. They’re expensive, damn it! lol
I’m here for it. The first film was amazing, and will have a lasting impact. I think the promo is equal to the grandeur of what they’ve created.
These two are ridiculously talented. I’m gad they got these roles. and the recognition they deserve.
im so happy to see a women led movie get this sort of roll out. I just came from the Clooney thread and I need to cleanse my palate. I cant wait to see pt 2.
is anyone else considering the double feature? it’s 5 hours but I bet I’d love it
While this is kinda sweet, it’s also a bit nauseating to think of all the annoying promotion coming out way. Can’t wait for this to be done, so sick of hearing about Wicked.
That said, I do really like Cynthia and look forward to seeing her shine again. The other one, not so much.
Ariana has a vast collection of some of the ugliest, most backyard budget, trailer park tattoos I’ve ever seen. Her hands look like they lost a battle with a bad pre-teen etch-a-sketch Sharpie. Such a beautiful woman with the most ratchet hand tattoos I’ve ever seen.
Her hand tattoos are very ugly & amateur looking. I know that was a trend for awhile, tattoos that look like a child drew on you with a Sharpie, but those are out of style now and many people with those tattoos are having them updated or removed.
I forking LOVED the first Wicked. I wasn’t expecting much, especially after Ariana’s casting — no shade to her, I recognize that she has a tremendously great pop voice but this is Cat Valentine we’re talking about!! But she blew me away in the first one. Cynthia was bonkers too.
I’m so excited for part two!!!