This past weekend, Out was live on the red carpet (or gold carpet, rather) of Gold House's annual Gold Gala, where some big names in Hollywood came to celebrate the best in Asian American Pacific Islander excellence! The event was brimming with tastemakers, dealmakers, and allies who moved forward the ideas of true diversity, inclusion, and representation.
One star embodies these values effortlessly and that’s none other than Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, who was being honored for her allyship and for helping push representation in show business.
Introducing her for the night was Wicked director Jon M. Chu, whom Erivo gushed about working with. "I always had someone rubbing my back to move forward. When you have someone like him at the helm it becomes so much easier," she tells Out. "You know someone is stomping for you from the minute you say go so it's been really, really special."
Of course we also had to ask about the epic, inner-child-healing duet "When You Believe" with her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande from this year's Met Gala! But before Erivo got into the answer, another co-star (and Oscar winner) Michelle Yeoh popped by to say hello!
After this iconic interruption, Erivo went on to explain how the epic duet with Grande came to be.
Vogue had already propositioned Grande who was interested, but hesitant, saying she would only do it if Erivo would agree. Erivo said, "Of course!" and the rest is sure to be diva history.
The song choice itself is remarkable since the composer of "When You Believe" (from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack) is Stephen Schwartz, who also does the music for Wicked! Later during the ceremony, Erivo accepted the ally honors of the evening with the grace we’ve come to know and love, and we can’t wait to see her along with Michelle Yeoh and Ariana Grande in Jon M. Chu’s Wicked coming November 27th later this year!
Wicked hits theaters this Thanksgiving holiday.
