The Women Behind ‘Wicked’: A Magical Tapestry of Feminine Energy and Friendship

Featuring Actors Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Marissa Bode, Writers Winnie Holzman & Dana Fox, Director of Photography Alice Brooks, Sound Editor Nancy Nugent Title, and Women in Film CEO Kirsten Schaffer

By Natalie McCarty

During a private screening of Wicked hosted by Women in Film, a spotlight was placed on the women who have brought this highly anticipated adaptation to life. From its sweeping visuals to its deeply emotional core, the film celebrates the power of female collaboration, both in its story and behind the scenes. A panel discussion featuring key cast and crew members underscored the magic and meaning of Wicked’s feminist heartbeat.

Crafting Magic on Set

For cinematographer Alice Brooks, capturing the essence of Wicked was nothing short of extraordinary. “Every day was magical on our set,” Brooks shared, emphasizing the emotional gravity behind the fantastical tale. “This is the greatest love story between these two friends,” she said, reflecting on the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda at the film’s core.

Balancing the grandeur of the film’s vast world with its intimate emotional moments was a challenge Brooks and her team embraced. “It’s really vast but so intimate and raw and real,” she said. The emotional power of the production extended to every corner of the set, as Brooks recalled moments when even the grip team was moved to tears while operating the crane, attesting to the overwhelming magic unfolding before the cameras.

The Power of Female Friendship

The women behind Wicked spoke passionately about the film’s celebration of female relationships, both on-screen and off.

In a tender moment between the cast and crew, it became apparent that sound editor Nancy Nugent Title—ironically—could not be heard very well on the microphone. After Ariana Grande motioned for and Cynthia Erivo asked for a level adjustment, Grande flitted over to Nugent Title’s aid and swapped mics. It became apparent from the jump just how much these women really care for each other and run to each other’s aid. Powerful.

Writer Dana Fox lauded the film for centering women in every part of the process. “They don’t make movies like this with so many women on camera and as writers and behind the scenes,” she said, offering a nod to director Jon M. Chu for fostering a supportive, collaborative environment.

Fox, who considers her female friendships the cornerstone of her life, spoke passionately about how Wicked’s portrayal of women’s relationships resonates on a personal level. “The female friendships that I have are the loves of my life,” she shared. Reflecting on societal perceptions, she added, “There’s no version of female friendship that people seem to be okay with.” In a world where women’s connections are often oversimplified or misunderstood, Wicked boldly reclaims and redefines the complexity and depth of these bonds.

The conversation became particularly poignant when panel moderator and Women in Film CEO Kirsten Schaffer confessed how emotional she felt watching the film, to which Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda, smiled knowingly and laughingly said, “See? You finally get it!” This sparked Fox to reflect on how meaningful it is to embrace those emotions, especially on this project. “You’re teaching people that there’s power in crying,” Fox said–in reference to the moments of vulnerability shown not just on-screen but also by Grande and Cynthia Erivo during the press tour that have held such a space of beauty.

Grande agreed, underscoring how Wicked’s themes of friendship and humanity are steeped in tenderness and care. “The feminine energy is what made this film what it is,” she said. “Femininity and love and care are woven into this film.” Her connection with Erivo, who plays Elphaba, mirrors the sisterhood at the heart of the story. “I’d be remiss not to talk about the sisterhood that we’ve built,” Grande said, before continuing to sing the praises of her co-star and beloved friend. 

Redefining What It Means to Be Wicked

Writer Winnie Holzman, who co-wrote the film and penned the original Broadway musical, described the deep layers of meaning behind Wicked’s story. “We were just there to infuse it with as much love and compassion as we could,” she said. Holzman explored the societal perceptions of women and power that Wicked challenges. “Women have been accused of being witches for centuries whenever they had power in a village,” she explained. “The idea for me, about a woman’s power, is: What does it really mean to be good? What does it mean to be wicked?”

At its core, Wicked is a story about humanity—its messiness, contradictions, and capacity for growth. As Ariana Grande (Glinda) reflected, “I love the ways in which Wicked fights for humanness.” The film doesn’t just explore the archetypes of “good” and “wicked”—it challenges them, showing one is capable of both light and darkness. “Humans contain multitudes,” Grande emphasized.

She continued on to state that Elphaba’s journey, in particular, is one of gradual courage. “It takes time for people to become as brave as Elphaba. No one starts as brave as Elphaba.” Grande elaborated to say that bravery is something forged through struggle, resilience, and belief in one’s cause.

Marissa Bode, who plays Nessa Rose, echoed these sentiments by stressing the importance of authenticity. “It goes back to the conversation of authenticity… having women input on the story makes for even more authentic storytelling that way,” she said.

As touched on before, Cynthia Erivo brings a profound emotional depth to Elphaba, rooted in vulnerability, loneliness, and guardedness—but also undeniable bravery. Her portrayal captures Elphaba’s fierce independence while never shying away from her isolation or inner conflict. “The first thing I wanted to do was find all the pockets of joy that she has,” Erivo shared, acknowledging that even in Elphaba’s guarded nature, there’s still hope and longing for connection.

Erivo masterfully conveys Elphaba’s emotional evolution through moments of tenderness, frustration, and quiet determination. “She’s on a wave of believing something, discovering the truth, believing something, discovering the truth…right until the very end,” Erivo reflected, speaking to Elphaba’s constant search for understanding and purpose. Her portrayal reminds us that strength isn’t just about defiance—it’s about being brave enough to hope, even when the world tells you not to.

A Feminist Legacy

The evening concluded with reflections on the film’s legacy as both a groundbreaking adaptation and a testament to the power of female collaboration. Women in Film aptly described Wicked as “both transcendent and transgressive,” highlighting how it pushes boundaries while celebrating universal truths about friendship, love, and humanity.

The true magic created by this film will undoubtedly carry through to audiences everywhere. In a film that honors feminine energy, authenticity, and the transformative power of friendship, Wicked casts its spell on the world—encouraging empathy shared between all.