Celebrated director Baz Luhrmann has become the centre of online chatter after a video from a star-studded Wicked: For Good event captured him engaging in a decidedly peculiar greeting.
An Awkward Embrace Goes Viral
The Australian filmmaker, renowned for Elvis, The Great Gatsby, and Moulin Rouge!, hosted an intimate gathering celebrating the new film. The event was attended by A-list guests including Charlize Theron and Rebel Wilson, with the latter sharing clips on her Instagram.
In one now-viral video, Luhrmann is seen congratulating the musical's leading ladies, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda), on their performances. However, as he leaned in to hug and kiss the actresses, observers noted his hands hovered awkwardly in the air without actually making contact with their backs.
The unusual 'no-touch' embrace left many fans baffled, sparking a wave of speculation and amusement across social media platforms.
Wicked's Spellbinding Box Office Success
The viral moment occurred against the backdrop of the film's phenomenal commercial triumph. Wicked: For Good has delivered one of the biggest debuts of the year, shattering multiple records in its opening weekend.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, this second instalment of the Broadway adaptation chronicling the witches of Oz opened to a staggering $150 million in North America and $226 million worldwide. This performance secured the largest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, surpassing the first Wicked film's $112.5 million debut.
It now ranks as the third-largest opening of all time for a musical film, sitting behind only Disney's live-action The Lion King (2019) and Beauty and the Beast (2017). The release also posted the second-best opening weekend ahead of Thanksgiving and is 2025's second-largest three-day launch, trailing only A Minecraft Movie.
Praise for the Film's 'Powerhouse' Performances
Much of the film's success is being credited to the 'powerhouse' performances of its two leads. Critics have heaped praise on both, with particular emphasis on Ariana Grande's portrayal of Glinda, which is already generating Oscar buzz.
The Hollywood Reporter's critic David Rooney stated that Grande 'owns' Part Two, effortlessly bringing Glinda to 'luminous life'. He highlighted her 'tender depths' in moments of introspection and her loyalty to Elphaba.
Of Cynthia Erivo, Rooney wrote she 'remains a powerhouse, with pipes that shake the heavens and a wellspring of unforced emotional intensity that never runs dry.' He referred to both as stellar vocal talents.
While noting the most iconic songs feature in Part One, the critic concluded that Wicked: For Good 'more than compensates' with its investment in character, story, and sumptuous design, ensuring the magical world of Oz continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
