The Wicked fever burns on. There’s no denying that the stage-to-screen adaptation of the immensely popular musical has been garnering attention from across the globe—with the limelight falling onto its whirlwind press tour. From Sydney to Seoul and Los Angeles, the anticipation surrounding Jon M. Chu’s forthcoming adaptation has been astronomical to say the least, in part due to the buzz surrounding its leading stars: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. What more when the duo have been method dressing to a tee for their exquisite sartorial turns on the red carpet.
Whilst Grande, who plays Glinda the Good, has been making her appearances in various ensembles that scream pretty in pink, it’s Erivo’s outings that have really had our eyes glazed in emerald. A delicious colour match, for the actress who plays the Wicked Witch of the West. Beyond the ferociously vivid greens she’s been sporting on the carpet—a great deal custom-made by Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Thom Browne—one other extremely notable element of her looks have been her gravity-defying claws.
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With each press outing, there seems to be a new talon change for Erivo—largely engineered by her go-to nail techs Rose Hackle and LA-based @clawzbydior_ . Each one leaning dark, edgy and fierce; her transformative chrome nails serve as a reflection of the incomparable strength of Elphaba. To start off the tour in Sydney, her coffin-style claws came encrusted with a gargantuan emerald gem. Her following looks amped up on the variety, from a glitzy pink-green pattern (as an ode to the inseparable pair) to a sudden crimson switch, with nails dripping in blood. They’ve been a certified paid actor, if you will, and it’s cemented even further by her ongoing collaboration with nail polish house Opi, that’s just named her its global ambassador too.
So if you’re making a beeline straight for the theatres upon the film’s release, then perhaps a manicure change akin to Erivo’s will be the perfect accessory to bring along. Below, cast your gaze upon all the extravagant nail looks Elphaba has been sporting this Wicked press tour for some inspo before you make an appointment at the nail salon.
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Witch o'clock
All pastel shades of green and beautiful botanical details, as if to paint Elphaba in the delightfully positive side of the double-edged hue. Of note? The choice of pink florals, as if to signal at the adoring bond between Glinda and Elphaba.
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Emerald City
Like an ode to the famous imperial capital in the Land of Oz, Erivo sports a stunning set of rich, emerald-toned talons. Not to be missed? Those ginormous gem embellishments that could incite envy in anyone.
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Ozitively Elphaba
The Wicked Witch reigns fierce in Los Angeles. With shades taken out of the Opi Wicked collection, @clawzbydior dreamt up a chic, art deco-esque manicure, using geometric shapes, subtle cat eye shimmers and crisp white details.
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Friendship goals
Is there anything better than Erivo paying ode to her co-star’s character, Glinda the Good? This whimsical set is glossed with both pink and green accents—melding together like the beautiful friendship that underscores the original story.
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The Wicked Witch
For the CFDA Awards 2024, Erivo was witch-turned-hostess. So the details were equally unmatched, with serpent motifs, green flames and tinges of black onyx, like the foreboding of Elphaba’s troubled heart.
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Yellow Brick Road
To announce her ambassadorship and Wicked collab with Opi? Erivo dialled up on the complementary hues, but went straight for her preferred coffin style. Think crystal embellishments and shiny accents all through her fearsome manicure.
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Bloody tips
To match her theatrical get-up, Erivo’s actual nails are adorned with realistic touches of blood, painted on to look like they were dripping from her talons. Add a few spike charms, and there you have it—a look that brims with menacing energy.
