PEOPLE’sWickedIssue Goes Behind the Scenes: Ariana Grande Hid Candy in Her Costume, Cynthia Erivo Baked Cookies (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

PEOPLE’s ‘Wicked’ Special Edition (left) and Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked.'.Photo:Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures

There’s no need to go somewhere over the rainbow to get all the scoop onWicked, the highly anticipated movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. PEOPLE’s special edition, which goes behind the scenes of the eye-popping spectacle starringAriana Grande, 31, andCynthia Erivo, 37,is available right herestarting Friday, Nov. 1.

Wickedtells the emotional origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, the villain from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s bookThe Wonderful Wizard of Ozand the iconic 1939 movieThe Wizard of Oz.

But before the Wicked Witch was feared all across the land of Oz, she was simply Elphaba Thropp, a reserved and misunderstood young woman who happened to be born with green skin and special powers. At Shiz University, she meets fellow student Glinda, a bubbly (and yes,popular) aspiring sorceress (and future Good Witch).

Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) become roommates, and then unlikely friends — until outside forces come between them and test their bond.

PEOPLE’s ‘Wicked’ special edition.Universal Pictures

The cast and creators of the movie (Part 1 hits theaters Nov. 22, Part 2 comes in 2025) take PEOPLE inside the elaborate production. Read on for some set secrets from the special issue — which also features interviews, photos and an oral history of the original Broadway show.

Grande hid candy in her costume

As Glinda, the pop star wore many pink costumes reminiscent of cotton candy — and according to costarMichelle Yeoh, Grande’s outfits sometimes concealed sweet treats, too.

“She’ll be eating, like, candy, and suddenly she’ll stuff it down her corset. We’re like, ‘What the heck?’ She goes, ‘By the end of the day when I open my corset, all these things fall off!’” says Yeoh, who plays Shiz University headmistress Madam Morrible.

Erivo and Grande provided baked goods — and Uggs!

Newcomer Marissa Bode, who plays Elphaba’s younger sister Nessarose, remembers acts of kindness from both Erivo and Grande. Bode says Erivo brought home-baked cookies to set, and made vegan and gluten-free varieties “just in case” somebody had dietary needs. “[It] was so sweet that she’s thoughtful,” Bode tells PEOPLE.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked.'.Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

The actress also recalls complimenting Grande on her Ugg boots. “I was like, ‘Oh my God. I always admire them, but I don’t have a pair or anything.’ Just casually. And then the next day she literally had bought me a pair of these black glitter Uggs,” says Bode. “Who does that? That’s so kind.”

Between takes, the cast sang songs — from other musicals

Whendirector John M. Chuyelled cut,Bowen Yang, 33, and Bronwyn James (who star as Pfannee and ShenShen, respectively, Glinda’s snide sidekicks) performed tunes fromRentandNext to Normal, with Grande and Erivo joining in. “Cynthia had to be incredibly aloof and reserved and in the demeanor of Elphaba. So it was refreshing to see her let loose in between takes,” remembers Yang.

Bowen Yang as Pfannee and Bronwyn James as ShenShen in ‘Wicked.'.Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures

Grande andJeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard of Oz himself, broke out in songs from the musicalDirty Rotten Scoundrels. “We sang it together, and then she did it again on my phone. Oh my God in heaven — it was music, music, music,” says Goldblum, 72.

Michelle Yeoh was scared to sing

By her own admission, the Oscar-winningEverything Everywhere All at Onceactress, 62, is not a natural belter. “I love singing. But normally it’s in the shower, not when there’s other people around,” she says. But she’d need to carry a tune in order to play Madam Morrible, so she worked with a vocal coach before heading to set. “I was hitting notes that I never thought that I would try,” she says.

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible in ‘Wicked.'.Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Still, performance anxiety was ever-present at first. “I could see a little fear in her eyes, for sure,” remembers Chu. But Yeoh says Chu and Erivo put her at ease. “Most of my singing parts are with Cynthia. She said, ‘Just sing it out, girl. I can hear you singing. Just come out with it.’ So they made me comfortable.”

Farmers planted nine million tulip bulbs to create Oz

Courtesy Nathan Crowley

One might expect a big-budget movie like Wicked to go all in on CGI for its effects. But director Chu and production designer Nathan Crowley wanted a realistic feel for the land of Oz. “People want to touch stuff,” says Crowley. To that end, he hired farmers to plant nine million — yes, you read that correctly — tulip bulbs on the soundstages in London and the Norfolk countryside.

Grande and Erivo influenced the set design

The leads of the movie didn’t just show up and say their lines. Crowley picked the stars’ brains about Elphaba and Glinda, which helped him inform his decisions about the set. Says Crowley, “There were many, many conversations with the actresses to see how they see their characters and how the props relate to that character.”

Buy PEOPLE’sWickedspecial editionhere.

source: people.com