Cynthia Erivo delivered a truly breathtaking, once-in-a-generation moment during Wicked: One Wonderful Night, NBC’s musical celebration honoring the legacy of Wicked and its upcoming film adaptation. Taking on the show’s most iconic anthem, “Defying Gravity,” Erivo didn’t simply perform the song—she fully embodied it, redefining what the moment could mean on live television.
As the orchestra swelled and emerald light washed over the stage, Erivo rose above the audience, suspended in midair while delivering the song’s notoriously demanding vocals with astonishing control and emotional power. The visual spectacle aligned perfectly with the song’s message: a woman lifting herself beyond fear, limitation, and expectation.
The performance balanced awe-inspiring staging with deep emotional resonance. “Defying Gravity” has long been celebrated as an anthem of self-belief and transformation, and Erivo honored that legacy while making it unmistakably her own. Even while airborne, her vocals remained precise and unwavering, each note charged with intention and clarity.
What made the moment extraordinary was not just the technical feat of singing live while flying, but the vulnerability she brought to it. Erivo captured both strength and openness, allowing viewers to feel the weight of the character’s choice as much as the thrill of her ascent. It was spectacle rooted in meaning, not excess.
Almost instantly, the performance became the emotional centerpiece of the night. Fans watching from home reacted with awe, describing the moment as unforgettable and transcendent. What could have been a familiar Broadway number transformed into a cinematic television event—bold, symbolic, and deeply moving.
Wicked: One Wonderful Night celebrated the musical’s enduring impact with beloved songs and familiar faces, but Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” stood apart as the evening’s defining image. Her ability to command the stage—while suspended high above it—reinforced her status as one of the most formidable performers of her generation.
For audiences everywhere, the sight of Cynthia Erivo soaring through the air while delivering the song’s climactic moments was nothing short of spellbinding. It served as a reminder of why Wicked continues to resonate, and why certain performances do more than honor history.
They redefine it.
