Forget everything you thought you knew about 'wicked' – because 'Wicked: One Wonderful Night' was a fashion spectacle that redefined the term! Last night's NBC special, celebrating both the beloved musical Wicked and the upcoming film Wicked: For Good, wasn't just a treat for the ears; it was a feast for the eyes, showcasing a dazzling array of high-fashion looks. And the best part? It was all captured on film!
The show brought together a stellar cast, including Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh, and many more. But beyond the incredible performances, the fashion choices stole the show.
Ariana Grande, styled by the iconic Law Roach, embraced method dressing with a vengeance. She donned a stunning champagne-colored Bob Mackie gown from the designer's Fall 1997 collection, a strapless beauty with a sweetheart neckline and a flowing tulle skirt. The dress, sourced from Tab Vintage, was originally worn by Fran Drescher in the 1997 rom-com The Beautician and the Beast. Grande accessorized with a ballerina bun, a Swarovski diamond choker, and even a sparkling harness for her aerial moments.
But here's where it gets controversial... Grande's wardrobe choices didn't stop there. She also sported a silver cocktail dress from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2005 collection, paired with custom sparkly silver Bloch character shoes. She also wore a pink Tanner Fletcher spring 2026 dress, and a sculptural pink Sophie Couture gown.
For a touch of classic elegance, Grande stunned in a Christian Dior couture Ligne Profilee cocktail dress from the Fall/Winter 1952 collection, accessorized with bow heels and more Swarovski diamonds. A 1940s Gilbert Adrian black crepe gown, a slinky LBD, was another highlight, especially since Adrian was the costume designer for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. And, for a modern touch, Grande rocked a Khaite midi dress and a custom Robert Wun gown adorned with butterfly embellishments.
Cynthia Erivo, styled by Jason Bolden, showcased her own eclectic taste. She wowed in a silk and velvet dress from Marni's Fall 2025 collection. A gravity-defying Danielle Frankel creation, a white bustier with a tiered black skirt, was another showstopper. Erivo also sported an Alexander McQueen Fall 2025 coat dress with a heavy collar.
And this is the part most people miss... Erivo also embraced tailoring, with a navy Vivienne Westwood suit and a black velvet Mugler corset. Her witchy looks included a silky black Yves Saint Laurent dress and a Mugler body-hugging gown. Her most Elphaba-esque look? A velvet Alex Perry gown with feathered arms and a feather-trimmed neckpiece.
Michelle Yeoh, meanwhile, looked radiant in a sapphire blue gown from Christian Siriano's Fall 2025 collection.
The two-hour musical special brought back the original cast, including Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), and Michelle Yeoh (Madame Morrible). The show also gave us a sneak peek at Wicked: For Good, and featured new songs from Erivo and Grande, written by Stephen Schwartz.
It was a grand, sparkly reimagining of the musical's hit songs and scenes. There was a charming version of “Popular,” Yeoh did some voguing, and Erivo and Grande were joined by their original Broadway counterparts, Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, for a tear-jerking piano rendition of “For Good.” Grande and Erivo also performed a version of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand’s culture-defining duet medley of “Happy Days Are Here Again” and “Get Happy” from a 1963 episode of The Judy Garland Show, and of course, Erivo flew across the audience to hit her “Defying Gravity” powerhouse notes. Bowen Yang took on some SNL style hosting duties, and spoof clips were shown of Khloe Kardashian, Heidi Klum, Ludachirs, and more celebrities pretending to audition.
So, what do you think? Did the fashion choices enhance the performances, or did they distract from the magic of Wicked? Were there any looks you particularly loved or disliked? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
