Cynthia Erivo says she’s not tired of singing “Defying Gravity” because of its meaning to fans and teases a mature tone for Wicked: For Good.
Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, says she hasn’t grown tired of singing the musical’s iconic anthem “Defying Gravity” — and she likely never will.
In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times published June 4, the Grammy winner and Oscar-nominated actress revealed that the song’s emotional impact on fans keeps it fresh and meaningful for her, no matter how many times she sings it.
“I don’t think I am [tired of it], because of what it means to people,” said Erivo. She explained that the song is so deeply ingrained in her mind that she didn’t even glance at the teleprompter during her live performance of it at the 97th Academy Awards.
“You can see I’m not looking at it at all,” she said. “It’s definitely one of those things that’s ingrained in my brain forever.”
Erivo went on to describe her favorite parts of “Defying Gravity,” which was composed by Stephen Schwartz.
She highlighted three moments in particular: the powerful introduction that begins with “Something has changed within me,” Elphaba’s epic “war cry” at the song’s conclusion, and the emotionally charged lines just before the finale — “And nobody in all of Oz / No wizard that there is or was / Is ever going to bring me down.”
According to Erivo, that last moment feels like an emotional crescendo that must be “earned” before delivering the song’s climactic finale.
The cultural significance and ongoing popularity of Wicked and its music are undeniable. The film’s soundtrack debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, marking the highest chart debut for a movie adaptation of a stage musical in Billboard history.
Additionally, seven songs from the movie landed on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Defying Gravity” peaking at No. 44. On Spotify, the track has amassed over 145 million streams.
Erivo also teased what fans can expect from Wicked: For Good, the second part of the two-part movie series, which premieres on November 21.
Speaking to PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly at the 2025 SAG Awards, she noted that the sequel will have a more mature tone, as the characters are no longer students and have begun navigating adult life.
“I think you can expect a little bit of spice in the second part,” she said. “They’ve stepped into their careers and stepped into their choices… it’s necessary.”
As for potential musical highlights in Wicked: For Good, Erivo hinted that songs like “For Good” and “No Good Deed” may stand out. With her passion for the music and the story, it’s clear Cynthia Erivo is ready to keep defying gravity — and expectations — for years to come.
Sourcr PEOPLE and Los Angeles Times
