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Elphaba herself is on hand to kick off the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Wicked: For Good star Cynthia Erivo appeared in New York City on Thursday, Nov. 27, to celebrate Thanksgiving Day by opening up the parade. The Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning actress and singer sang “Feeling Good” by Nina Simone (scatting and all) as the parade began, 10 days after she lost her voice and subsequently skipped most press interviews at For Good’s New York City premiere as a result.
Erivo performed with just a piano backing her. She wore a monochromatic maroon look perfect for the fall holiday. Her long maroon coat matched the hat atop her head, and she rocked plenty of jewels while she sang.
NBC
After her performance, Erivo chatted with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie to chat about Wicked: For Good and her newly released book Simply More: A Book for Anyone who Has Been Told They’re Too Much. She also teased her Thanksgiving plans. (Spoiler alert: She’s resting.)
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Universal Pictures announced prior to the Nov. 17 Wicked premiere in N.Y.C. that Erivo had lost her voice; her costar Ariana Grande also sat out from most press interviews at the event in solidarity with Erivo, whom she has conducted most of her interviews with while promoting the two-part Wicked movie adaptation. Both women posed for photos at the event’s red carpet, and they did briefly speak with a livestream hosted at the premiere.
When Erivo appeared solo on The Tonight Show to promote the movie on Wednesday, Nov. 19, she was still speaking in a quiet voice. “She’s still missing in action, but she’s there,” she said of her voice in that interview. “She’s kind of sexy.”
Erivo is among 28 musicians and singers performing at the parade on Thanksgiving Day, including Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Christopher Jackson, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Linaey Wilson, Teyana Taylor and more.
Wicked: For Good is in theaters now.
