‘Wicked’ fans think they’ve spotted Kristin Chenoweth in new movie promo — you be the judge
“Wicked” fans are showing off their gravity-defying detective talents.
A new featurette was released Wednesday in anticipation of director Jon M. Chu’s film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.
Viewers will also get a glimpse of new clips from the film, along with exclusive interviews with Ariana Grande (Glinda) and Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba).
But it’s what keen-eyed fans have pointed out that has sent the internet into a tizzy.
While Chu is being interviewed about Grande and Erivo’s real-life friendship, the camera cuts to a BTS shot that shows the pair surrounded by Australians — one of them presumably Kristin Chenoweth.
Chenoweth played the original Glinda on Broadway in 2003, while Idina Menzel played Elphaba.
The scene, which is only a few seconds long, shows a slender woman with bright blonde hair, heavy eye makeup and a dark complexion, and all signs point to the actress being Chenoweth.
Fans shared their thoughts about the possible cameo on social media, with one user writing on Axe, “It appears Kristin Chenoweth is making an appearance in the latest featurette for ‘Wicked.’
It’s only fitting that the “Holidate” star would be asked to take part in the “Wicked” movie, as it’s a full-circle moment for Chenoweth.
The 56-year-old singer first met Grande when she was just 10 years old and came to a show, even telling “Women’s Health” in May that the two cried together when Grande was cast in the production.
Chenoweth said she had only seen early scenes of the film, and that she “can’t wait” to present it to the world.
“I cried [watching the trailer]” she admitted. “There are things we can’t do on Broadway that they can do in a movie. I’m really excited.”
Chenoweth had much to say about the casting when speaking to Entertainment Tonight a year ago.
“I’m going to see two women take flight that I know, and Ariana Grande is going to step into my shoes so beautifully,” she shared in April 2023. “I’m so excited for her, she’s going to make her mark on it.”
And when it comes to any advice Chenoweth has for Grande? As she said on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” that same month: “What I want to encourage you to do, Ariana, is to let Glinda be your own Glinda. Sure, you can salute me if you want, but really, I want you to just do your own thing.”
But when Chenoweth was asked if she would appear in the movie, she didn’t say anything about it, but now viewers know the answer could be ‘yes.’
The Broadway star said she “can’t confirm or deny that.”
“I really … I really can’t do that,” Chenoweth insisted at the time. “I’m going to wait and we’ll see.”
“Wicked” stars Jonathan Bailey as Elphaba’s lover Fiyero; Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, the president of Shiz University; Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond; Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard; and “SNL” star Bowen Yang plays a new character, Fanny.