Michelle Yeoh is spilling the tea on her Wicked co-stars, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo And Jeff Goldblum.
Speaking to ET’s Deidre Behar at the 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Awards on Saturday, the 61-year-old Oscar winner shared that the recent cast reunion at CinemaCon was more moving than she could have ever imagined.
“Oh my God, you know, it was our first reunion since we finished,” the Malaysian-born actress shared. In January, ET confirmed that the highly anticipated film – an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical – had filming finishedmore than two years after filming began in England.
Yeoh added: “There were too many hugs and kisses and we all held hands all night.”
As for which of her on-screen companions went the hardest during the CinemaCon festivities, the Everything everywhere at the same time The star said Goldblum, 71 – who plays the Wizard of Oz in the film – was the clear answer, but that his version of “showing up” included simply giving everyone their fair share of hugs.
In case it wasn’t clear from Yeoh’s answer, the Wicked the cast went far beyond friends and colleagues during the two years of filming. Although they have created lasting relationships and romances, Grande, 30, is now dating Ethan Slaterwho plays Boq, his on-screen admirer — it’s clear that some friendships have turned into family bonds.
“But Cynthia and Ariana, they’re like yin and yang. They’re a perfect little couple,” Yeoh said.
In January, toward the end of production, Erivo, 37, and Grande — the film’s Elphaba and Galinda — went so far as to forever mark their time together, not with a handprint on their hearts as the score suggests , but with “For good” tattooed on their palms.
Yeoh – who plays Madame Morrible, the Sorcerer’s publicist – said photos circulating on social media of the cast and crew enjoying their time together in Las Vegas during movie week are true and depict “true joy” of their love for each other.
“You know, when you see love, it’s such a warm and real feeling,” Yeoh explained.
On the other side of the coin, the Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon The star said their “real joy” certainly didn’t stop them from bringing emotion to the big screen for the film. She shared this particular moment from the film that made her cry, involving the story’s main protagonists, Elphaba and Galinda, at a crossroads in their relationship and search for purpose. This moment can only be matched by Erivo’s breathtaking number, presumably at the end of Villain: Part 1.
“Oh my God, ‘Defying Gravity,'” Yeoh told ET of the moment she thinks will get the biggest reaction from fans. “I think it will blow your mind, it will make you cry.”
At CinemaCon, director Jon M. Chu revealed additional footage from the film and announced the casting Game Of Thrones And The Ballad of Songbirds and Serpents star Peter DinklageWHO will play Dr. Dillamonda talking goat at Shiz University and close companion of Elphaba.
Villain: Part 1 hits theaters on November 27, 2024, while Villain: Part Two will be released on November 26, 2025.
Besides Yeoh, Saturday night’s Breakthrough Prize Awards featured appearances from Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Alicia Keys, Jessica Chastain and more. The annual event recognizes scientific achievements and brings together luminaries in science and mathematics with figures from the entertainment world.
To learn more about the event, watch the video below.
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