Pop superstar Ariana Grande shared the stage with her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo during a recent concert at London’s O2 Arena, delighting fans with two surprise duets. The reunion marked a special moment for the artists, who are set to star together in the upcoming film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical.
A ‘Wicked’ Reunion in London
During her performance on Sunday, Grande brought out Erivo to the thunderous applause of the sold-out crowd. The pair first performed “For Good,” a poignant anthem from Wicked that holds personal significance for both actresses, as evidenced by matching tattoos of the song’s title on their palms. The emotional rendition resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom captured the moment on their phones.
Following their powerful performance of “For Good,” Grande and Erivo shifted gears, offering a nostalgic nod to a classic Hollywood pairing. They recreated the iconic 1963 medley of “Get Happy” and “Happy Days Are Here Again,” famously performed by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand. This charming interlude showcased their vocal chemistry and stage presence, drawing cheers and admiration from concertgoers.
The performances were documented by attendees, including Grande’s hairstylist Alyx Liu and Erivo’s close friend Capri Hakeem. Grande herself shared clips of the duets on her Instagram story, tagging Erivo and expressing her gratitude with heart and infinity emojis. “London, night two,” Grande posted. “I love you so and thank you. Grateful and emotional.”
Connecting Through ‘Wicked’
This London concert marked the first public performance by Grande and Erivo together since they collaborated on the NBC concert special Wicked: One Wonderful Night, which aired in November. Their shared experience on the Wicked film project, directed by Jon M. Chu, has clearly forged a strong bond between the two artists. Filming for the two-part adaptation of the hit 2003 musical, which grossed over $1.3 billion at the box office, occupied much of their time between 2022 and 2025, alongside promotional activities.
Erivo, an accomplished actress and singer who is nearing EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status with an Oscar nomination already under her belt, wore a striking ensemble for the performance. Her stylist, Jason Bolden, selected an embellished Erdem bra and panties layered over a white blouse, complemented by black kinky boots and a white trench coat. Grande, styled by “image architect” Law Roach, opted for a classic baby-doll dress with cap sleeves and a voluminous skirt.
Looking Ahead for Grande and Erivo
The concert appearance comes as Grande prepares to conclude her “Eternal Sunshine Tour.” Following a 41-date run and a 10-night engagement at London’s O2 Arena, she is scheduled to take a break from public-facing work. Her team announced in August that she would be stepping back from the spotlight after the tour to focus on her well-being, citing the “endless, ongoing public scrutiny” as a factor. This hiatus follows the successful release of her eighth studio album, Petal, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, with two singles, “Petal” and “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.
In addition to her music career, Grande has been expanding her acting portfolio. She has already completed filming her role as Olivia Jones, the strong-willed fiancée and former FBI hostage negotiator to Harry Focker (Skyler Gisondo), in the upcoming comedy Focker-in-Law, slated for release in US and UK theaters on November 25. The film also features a star-studded cast including Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, and Owen Wilson.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo has a busy schedule ahead. She is set to perform with the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Tanglewood Music Center in Lenox, Massachusetts. Erivo also produced and starred in the legal drama Prima Facie, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13. The film, based on Suzie Miller’s play about sexual assault, also features Harry Treadaway and Simon Russell Beale. Looking further into the future, Erivo is slated to appear in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s fantasy adventure Children of Blood and Bone and Takashi Doscher’s action thriller Karoshi, both expected in January.
A Memorable Night for Fans
The collaboration between Grande and Erivo in London served as a powerful reminder of their artistic synergy and the anticipation surrounding the Wicked film. The duets not only celebrated their shared history with the musical but also offered fans a glimpse into the chemistry that will undoubtedly translate to the big screen. The event underscored the enduring appeal of both artists and the excitement for their future projects.
