NEED TO KNOW
Michelle Yeoh understands the divine talent of Cynthia Erivo.
During a recent chat with PEOPLE surrounding the upcoming release of Ne Zha II’s English-language version, Yeoh sang her Wicked costar’s praises after watching her perform in Jesus Christ Superstar earlier this month.
“She was so amazing. She really was,” says Yeoh, 63, adding with a laugh, “If anyone can be Jesus Christ, it’s Cynthia Erivo.”
Erivo, 38, led the cast of the musical production at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles earlier this month, opposite Adam Lambert as Judas and John Stamos as King Herod, among others.
Sharing the news of her casting on her Instagram Stories in February, Erivo expressed her excitement for the role. “Just a little busy this summer,” she wrote at the time, alongside a winking emoji. “Can’t wait!!”
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Michelle Yeoh/Instagram
It was quite the Wicked reunion during the performance for Yeoh. Aside from catching up with Erivo, she also connected with costar Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard, and his wife Emilie Goldblum.
The couple joined Yeoh for one of the photos in the slideshow she posted to Instagram on Aug. 3, showing off some standout moments from the performance the night before.
Led by a snapshot of herself and Erivo sharing a hug, Yeoh’s post also included an image of Erivo performing onstage front and center, the crowd’s enthusiasm and a snap of Yeoh posing with Jeff, 72, and Emilie, 42, near the stage.
“The amazing stunning JCS!! Blown away by @cynthiaerivo and her cast ❤️❤️❤️🌈,” the Oscar winner captioned her post.
Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures
Ahead of the release of Wicked: For Good on Nov. 21, Yeoh is celebrating the upcoming premiere of the English-language version of Ne Zha II, the Chinese box-office phenomenon that currently stands as the highest-grossing animated movie of all time.
Yeoh, who lends her voice to Lady Yin in the film, tells PEOPLE that the story — which is inspired by the 16th-century Chinese folklore novel The Investiture of the Gods — resonates on a deeper level, due to its cultural significance.
“It is so important as a cultural exchange; an opening for more Chinese stories that need to be told,” she says. “Especially the mythological side of it. We’re so rich in lore with the three realms: the heavens, the earth and the seas.”
Yeoh also says she felt “privileged” to be a part of Ne Zha II, as the title protagonist “has always been one of my favorite characters because he fought injustice.”
“I think from the minute he was born, he felt very rejected,” she explains. “When I was a kid, I used to be so fascinated and inspired by this spunky kid riding on fire wheels. I wanted to be that cool demigod that fought for justice.”
The English-language version of Ne Zha II is in theaters Friday, Aug. 22.
