Lip-Reader on What Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Say in Cut ‘Wicked’ Scene

A lip-reader has revealed what Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo said in a deleted Wicked scene.

Grande starred as Glinda, and Erivo played Elphaba Thropp, in the hit 2024 film. The musical focuses on their friendship as they’re treated differently by their peers.

Earlier this week, Jackie Gonzalez—a deaf woman who shares her interpretations of celebrities’ private conversations online—took to Instagram and TikTok to post her take on the scene.

In the viral clip, which never made it in the final version of the movie, Grande and Erivo spoke to one another while on a train to Oz.

According to Gonzalez, Grande said: “There’s magazines!”

“Everything on there, they’re brilliant. Everything is brilliant,” Erivo said while sifting through an Emerald City magazine. “This is real.”

“Animal!” Grande allegedly interrupted, before pointing out the window and adding, “Elphie, look! That’s green, look!”

“What?” Erivo asked.

“Look over there!” Grande said.

In the caption, Gonzalez shared a disclaimer: “Lip reading is not a reliable form of communication, all statements are alleged.”

Newsweek reached out to Grande and Erivo’s representatives via email for comment.

At the time of publication, the Instagram video had racked up more than 550,000 views and over 9,000 likes. On TikTok, it garnered another 182,000 views and more than 5,000 likes.

“I want every single ‘silent’ b roll footage lip readings now,” beauty and pop culture expert Cat Quinn wrote in an Instagram comment with over 600 likes. “This is real is so funny.”

“Your impressions are impressive,” Instagram user @moviehag said, while @cowboylikebutera agreed: “Your impressions are spot on.”

Grande and Erivo performed a Wicked-inspired medley at the Academy Awards on Sunday. Grande was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Wicked, though Emilia Pérez star Zoë Saldaña was crowned the winner. Erivo was also nominated, but in the Best Actress category, though Mikey Madison took home the prize for her performance in Anora.

Oscars nominations were announced in January, and at the time, Grande and Erivo shared their support for one another via Instagram.

“i am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo,” the “7 Rings” singer wrote. “Your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always.”

Meanwhile, the Harriet star said: “To my sister, @arianagrande, what a joy it is to be here with you watching as you ascend and amaze and become the actress you were meant to be. Congratulations first time nominee, I’m so so proud of you!! There is no one in the world I would have wanted to do this with more than you.”

At the awards ceremony, Oscar-nominated star Demi Moore was a favorite to win Best Actress for The Substance, and her reaction to Madison’s win was caught on camera.

Lip-reader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mail that Moore appeared to say “nice” after the announcement, “but she isn’t smiling when she says it.”

“Her body is almost nodding like she had to force herself to say it,” Hickling said.

The sequel to Wicked is set to drop almost a year to the day after the first film, which debuted on November 22, 2024. Wicked: For Good is scheduled to hit theaters on November 21, 2025.