Popular Wicked Review That’s Defying Gravity and Redefining Style

The Holistic, Not-Just-Fashion Style of Wicked: Part 1 & Why Mocha Mousse Will Have to Wait – The Artistic Perspective

https://youtu.be/sHi75STEh7A

Style can be wicked — and as always, we’re not just talking about clothes. From the vibrant hues of Munchkinland to the groundbreaking decisions in acting and set design, Wicked is rewriting the rules of artistic and cinematic storytelling, and for good reason. Let’s unlock the magical style behind every detail in our own version of Wicked: Part 1, discussing the artistic style and making this the “Popular” Wicked review that’ll be “Defying Gravity” and redefining style.

Welcome back to House of Style! Today, we’re diving into a phenomenon that’s not just breaking records — it’s redefining what it means to combine artistry and strategy in cinema. Yes, we’re talking about Wicked: Part 1 — the movie that has critics singing, fans raving, and social media buzzing.

Here’s the twist: Wicked’s success is a perfect blend of two kinds of style — the artistic style that made every frame a masterpiece and the business style that turned it into a global event.

In this episode, we’re exploring the artistic style — the bold choices in cinematography, acting, costumes, music, and set design that didn’t just bring Oz to life — they made it unforgettable. 

Oh, and here’s a fun goal: by the time the next viral press tour begins, I hope the show is doing so well and that these videos provided enough clout that Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Keala Settle, and Marissa Bode, and the rest of this incredible cast (plus Jon Chu, Alice Brooks, and Paul Tazewell!) come on the podcast for a wicked spectacle. 

Putting it out there, let’s make it happen in about eight to ten-months’ time.

Let’s get into it and talk about the visuals. 

Wicked’s cinematography is an art form in itself. Cinematographer Alice Brooks described it as creating a “2024 version of technicolor” — a style that feels both nostalgic and fresh.

The use of real sets over CGI sets this movie apart. They didn’t just simulate Oz; they built it. If you stuck around to watch the credits, there had to be at least 100 carpenters on that list. 

From the vibrant tulip fields of Munchkinland — where 9 million tulips were actually planted — to the iconic Yellow Brick Road that was laid, every detail feels tactile, immersive, and alive.

Even the lighting was groundbreaking. Brooks used enormous SoftSun lights— the kind you rarely see outside the biggest blockbusters — to simulate Ozian sunlight on gray London days. 

The result? A world that feels magical, yet grounded.

This is where style shines. 

These choices aren’t just about creating a pretty backdrop; they’re about creating an experience. By prioritizing practicality over shortcuts, Wicked invites audiences to step into a world that feels authentic. 

Onto the performances. 

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande redefined style and redefined acting in musical cinema by their performances and choices, like how they paid respect to Broadway and wanted to sing live on set. No pre-recordings, no lip-syncing. 

Why? 

Because live singing added a layer of authenticity and emotional connection that pre-recorded tracks couldn’t achieve.

Picture this: Cynthia Erivo singing “Defying Gravity” while flying through the air in a harness and corset. She had to adjust her breathing to belt those high notes — all while performing stunts. Don’t want to picture it? Then watch her in this incredible behind-the-scenes footage of “Defying Gravity.”

I get dizzy from spinning my older daughter Aspen around in a single circle and need five minutes of recovery if I chase our adorable mini Poodle Paddington around the couch a couple times. I tried singing while chasing him, and it didn’t sound good. 

The level of talent Cynthia displays is extraordinary.

And consider Ariana. She knew she wanted to play Glinda since she was 10 years old. So when she heard auditions were happening, she went to voice and acting lessons everyday for months to prepare. But let’s be real, love you Renee Rapp and Amanda Seyfried but auditions weren’t really open. 

And so she gets the part and is perfect, and you know that because when Stephen Schwartz said he was considering making “Popular” cooler or adding a little hip hop to it, Ariana told the legend himself no, saying, “Absolutely not, don’t do it. I want to be Glinda, not Ariana Grande playing Glinda.”

That is dedication to style. And so is her singing live while spinning on a chandelier. Live performances are rare in big-budget films, but they reflect a dedication to the style of storytelling and realness. 

This wasn’t about shortcuts; it was about elevating the audience’s connection to the characters and their emotions.

Ok, onto what most believe to be style: the costume design, another pillar of Wicked’s awesomeness. 

Paul Tazewell’s work is a masterclass in balancing functionality and artistry. He is, without a doubt, one of the greatest costume designers of all time.

Consider Glinda’s gown during her iconic bubble entrance. It required 137 pattern pieces and 225 hours of hand-beading — not for extravagance, but to make her radiate the magic of her character.

And then there’s Elphaba’s green skin. To prevent her makeup from staining every costume, Tazewell developed a colored skin-suit that gave the illusion of fully painted skin while protecting the wardrobe. 

What sets Wicked apart is the intentionality behind these decisions. Style isn’t just what’s seen on screen; it’s the unseen effort that makes everything seamless.

And how about those sets? In an era dominated by CGI, Wicked boldly went practical.

The train to the Emerald City? It’s not CGI — it’s a 16-ton, custom-built marvel. The sets were handcrafted with obsessive attention to detail.

This commitment to practical effects is a stylistic choice that enhances immersion. When you watch Wicked, you’re not just seeing Oz — you’re in Oz. Compare that to movies overloaded with CGI, where everything feels too polished and disconnected. This grounded approach creates a style that is tangible, relatable, and emotionally impactful.

And speaking of being relatable… Adapting Broadway to film is tricky, but Wicked managed to expand on its stage origins in ways that felt natural and exciting. You feel the vastness of Oz, the tension in the characters’ journeys, and the layers of their relationships like never before.

One standout moment? Glinda and Elphaba’s suite during “Popular.” 

The choreography and practical effects… ok and Ariana’s hilarity… made it feel like a theater performance, with director Jon Chu literally hiding and giggling under Glinda’s bed to help operate practical effects and oversee the scene.

Well, I hope you’re happy. 

Wicked isn’t just a movie — it’s an experience. Everything about its artistic style isn’t about looking good for the sake of it. It’s about immersing audiences, connecting emotionally, and delivering a story in the most impactful way possible that respected what has been and will continue to be.

But here’s the kicker: this is only half the story, just like Wicked: Part 1, get it? See what we did there? 

In the next episode, we’ll break down the business style — the genius marketing, PR campaigns, and social media strategies that turned Wicked into a cultural phenomenon.

If you loved this episode and post, like and share it withyour fellow Ozians or Wicked obsessed friends and family. And please let us know what you thought of the style from any perspective. 

And who knows… Maybe Ariana and Cynthia will see this and decide to join the podcast before Wicked: Part 2 or invite my wife, Corey, and me to the premiere. In the meantime, we’ll keep redefining style because style isn’t just what you see — it’s what you feel, and it’s one of your greatest assets. We want you to use it. 

Remember, style isn’t in your wardrobe, it’s in you.

In this first part of our Wicked: Part 1 analysis, we’re leaving the Mocha Mousse color talk for another day, putting on our pink and green, well, everything, and focusing on the artistic style that made Wicked a record-breaking phenomenon. We’re diving into all of Oz and beyond — from wicked behind the scenes stories to the mesmerizing sets, live singing, and cinematography that set this musical-turned-movie apart. Whether you’re a longtime theater fan enthralled by the potential and excitement in “The Wizard and I“, or someone brand new who discovered the show through a Wicked trailer reaction on TikTok or saw Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang on SNL, this episode has something for you.

We’ll touch on iconic musical moments and what went into the making of “Defying Gravity” and “Popular,” where Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande performed stunts while singing to perfection, to how Jonathan Bailey’s big moment in “Dancing Through Life” was yet another example of set perfection, and even “One Short Day,” revealing how each scene was painstakingly crafted to feel both cinematic and theatrical… especially with bringing back the Wicked legends and OG’s Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel! Fans weary of the Broadway adaptation will appreciate understanding how the Wicked movie soundtrack was developed with a blend of tradition and innovation, and how Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s approach to singing live connects back to the original staging.

Get the full Wicked recap as we discuss the infamous Wicked interviews and press tour, the Wicked cast, and how Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s dedication to the project influenced the final outcome. For those who enjoy a Wicked reaction or reading a Wicked: Part 1 movie review, we’ll explain how choices in makeup, set design, and costumes created the perfect style environment for a story that resonates globally — even beyond the endless Wicked collabs and merchandising, and into the heart of fans. Don’t you wish you had Wicked stocks?! Discover why the attention to detail, from painting floors to forging a real train, creates an intimacy and style often missing in big blockbuster adaptations.

From a Wicked movie review angle, we’re not just praising the film; we’re breaking down its style and how it did what others often fail to do—keep the theater’s soul alive on screen and create a community for all fans to love. The Wicked audience reaction has proven that authenticity and respect for the source material matter.

We’ll also preview our Wicked Part 2 video, discussing Wicked’s style from a business, Marketing, and PR perspective. If you’re curious about how this adaptation matches up against fan-favorite moments and other Wicked reactions, this episode will give you new reasons to fall in love with the film’s artistry. While we wait a year for the next movie to come out, we’ll hold our breath to maybe be holding space interviews with the cast in person during the next Wicked: Part 2 press tour.

So settle in, and let’s celebrate Wicked, explained — the choices and artistic style that turned a beloved stage musical into a cinematic experience worth remembering. Before we get caught up in trends like Mocha Mousse, let’s not forget Wicked pink and green will be around at least another year, so let’s savor the timeless elegance that only careful, imaginative artistic style can achieve.