The release of Wicked and Wicked 2 renewed attention toward one of the most anticipated musical film franchises in recent years. Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the films sparked widespread conversation not only for their adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, but also for the unusual moments surrounding their release. From unexpected red carpet incidents to emotional interviews and viral fan theories, the Wicked movies became a cultural talking point both on and off screen.
One event that received significant social media attention was the November 13th incident in Singapore. As Grande walked the red carpet, she was suddenly approached by Johnson Wen, a man widely known online as the “Pyjama Man” for repeatedly crashing celebrity events. Wen has previously appeared uninvited at events involving artists like Katy Perry and the Weeknd. During this particular incident,he ran from his position on the red carpet towards Ariana and grabbed her. Cynthia Erivo quickly intervened, stepping between Wen and her co-star to protect her.
Footage of the encounter spread almost instantly across social media platforms. While many viewers expressed concern for Grande and Erivo, others speculated the incident may have been exaggerated or staged for attention.
Another point of discussion was the cast’s interview style during the press tour. Viewers on social media noted that some interviews felt unusually emotional or intense for a promotional setting. Cast members were seen often tearing up while discussing their connection to the characters, the creative process, and the long journey of bringing the sequel to the screen. In one interview with Out magazine, a reporter told Erivo that fans were “holding space” for the song Defying Gravity and finding empowerment through it. Erivo responded with visible emotion, despite the vague phrasing of the comment, which appeared to confuse both her and the interviewer. During the moment, Ariana placed her hand on Erivo’s finger in a notably supportive gesture. Clips from the interview quickly went viral, leaving audiences unsure about why the exchange prompted such emotional responses.
Outside the interviews, the two stars were often seen holding hands, clasping fingers, or physically supporting each other during public appearances. Reporters and podcast hosts commented on this pattern, and social media buzzed with clips highlighting these interactions. While some fans defended the behavior as a sign of genuine friendship, others found it puzzling and unusual within a professional promotional context.
The Wicked franchise has also sparked a number of fan theories and conspiracies. Some online discussions focused on the actresses’ close bond, with a small but vocal group of fans speculating that theiremotional closeness indicated a romantic relationship. Others pushed back on these claims, emphasizing that the two have publicly described their connection as a deep friendship formed through an intense, years-long production process.
More concerning speculation emerged as some commenters attempted to analyze the stars’ appearances and emotional behavior to suggest possible eating disorders or health issues. However, these claims were widely criticized for crossing personal boundaries and promoting harmful assumptions. Media commentators and fans alike noted that such speculation was unfounded, invasive, and reflective of a broader problem with scrutinizing celebrities’ bodies and mental health–particularly during highly visible press campaigns.
Overall the ˆ press tour became memorable not only for the film itself but for its series of striking and unexpected moments. From red carpet disruptions to intense emotional displays and fan-driven conspiracies, the Wicked franchise generated viral moments that continue to be discussed well beyond the films’ release.
