By Angelina, Entertainment Journalist with a Keen Eye for Red-Carpet Moments
Picture this: a glitzy premiere, a sweeping staircase, and Ariana Grande—pop icon turned Wicked star—caught in a dress-related fiasco that had her co-star Cynthia Erivo sprinting to the rescue. At the Tokyo premiere of Wicked on February 19, 2025, what could’ve been a standard red-carpet moment turned into a viral clip that’s equal parts endearing and chaotic. As someone who’s tracked countless celebrity highs and lows, I can tell you: this is the kind of unscripted drama that fans live for.
The Stair Struggle Heard ‘Round the Internet
The scene unfolds like a mini-movie. Grande, radiant in a voluminous gown, starts climbing the stairs to the stage alongside Erivo and director Jon M. Chu. The trio’s headed up to greet an ecstatic crowd, but as Erivo and Chu power ahead, Grande lags behind. Why? That dress—gorgeous but clearly a logistical nightmare—keeps tangling under her feet. In a video that’s now making the rounds online (trust me, you’ll want to watch it), she’s seen hiking up the fabric, kicking it free, and trying not to topple—all while her co-stars obliviously wave to fans at the top.
Then comes the pivot. Erivo glances back, and you can almost hear her internal “Oh no!” as she spots Grande stranded mid-staircase. Cue the rescue mission: Erivo dashes across the stage, arms outstretched, with Chu hot on her heels. Together, they hoist Grande up the final steps, and the trio makes it to center stage, laughing it off like pros. It’s a sweet, human moment—proof that even A-listers aren’t immune to wardrobe malfunctions.
Tokyo’s Long-Awaited Wicked Moment
This wasn’t just any premiere. While Wicked dazzled audiences worldwide starting November 21, 2024, Japan had to hold out until March 7, 2025, for its theatrical release. The Tokyo event on February 19 was a late but electric stop on a press tour that kicked off back in November with a star-studded world premiere in Sydney, Australia. Grande, Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, and Marissa Bode all jetted Down Under for that one, setting the tone for a rollout that’s felt endless—and honestly, a little exhausting if you’re keeping score.
But in Tokyo, the wait only fueled the hype. The cinema erupted as Grande, Erivo, and Chu took the stage, basking in a wave of cheers. Grande, ever the crowd-pleaser, sealed the deal by delivering a flawless “I love Japan” in fluent Japanese—a move so practiced and pitch-perfect it had the room roaring louder. Say what you will about her stair-climbing skills; the woman knows how to work a crowd.
Why This Matters Beyond the Laughs
Sure, the stair stumble’s a funny footnote, but it’s also a reminder of Wicked’s massive pull. This isn’t just another movie—it’s a cultural juggernaut, blending Broadway pedigree with blockbuster star power. Grande’s Glinda and Erivo’s Elphaba have been hyped as the duo to beat, and moments like these keep the buzz alive. Plus, in an era where celebrity authenticity reigns supreme, seeing Grande lean on her team—literally—feels relatable, even if her life’s anything but ordinary.
Final Take: A Premiere Worth the Wait
Tokyo’s Wicked premiere may have come late, but it delivered. Between the electric crowd, Grande’s linguistic flex, and a stair snafu turned heartwarming rescue, it’s a night that’ll stick with fans—and keep the internet humming. If this is what Wicked brings off-screen, I can only imagine what’s in store when it finally hits Japanese theaters on March 7.
What’s your take on Grande’s Tokyo moment? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more Wicked updates!
