Cynthia Erivo's High Note in Wicked Left Keke Palmer in Shambles: "I Will Not..."
Add the Password host to the endess list of people who were blown away by Erivo's Wicked performance.
Key Takeaways
- Keke Palmer enthusiastically showcased spot‑on impressions of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, highlighting her admiration for Erivo’s powerful “Defying Gravity” high note in WRead More
- Keke Palmer enthusiastically showcased spot‑on impressions of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, highlighting her admiration for Erivo’s powerful “Defying Gravity” high note in Wicked.
- Palmer has expressed deep respect for Erivo’s talent and emotional range, praising her performances in Wicked and earlier work like Harriet.
- Fans can stream Wicked, Wicked: For Good, and the concert special Wicked: One Wonderful Night on Peacock.
Keke Palmer is not afraid to belt out a high note — especially if it's in honor of one of the stars of Wicked.
During a January 2025 appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, the star of The 'Burbs couldn't help but break out a spot-on Cynthia Erivo impression — and it all started when Jennifer Hudson made a rather innocuous statement to her guest.
RELATED: Where to Stream Both Wicked Movies (Wicked and Wicked: For Good)
"I know you love Wicked," Hudson told the Emmy-winning host of NBC's Password.
That's all it took to set Palmer off in the best way.
"Oh my gosh," Palmer said before unleashing a pitch-perfect version of Erivo's iconic "Defying Gravity" high note. It was dazzling, and gave off plenty of Elphaba understudy vibes. The impromptu vocal tour de force made Hudson's live audience erupt in cheers, and without missing a beat (or stopping for a breath), Palmer began gushing over Erivo's performance throughout the Wicked films.
"Why was she singing like that? I won't get over that," she said, impressed. "I will not get over Cynthia Erivo doing that to the death of me."
After Wicked's release, the epic high note became a cultural phenomenon, and Palmer herself found herself belting it out all around her house!
"When I tell you I was in the bathroom, in the shower, in the kitchen doing that same thing," she revealed. "I'm like, 'Yes, set me free!'"
It's official: Erivo's jaw-dropping singing talent left Palmer in shambles!
RELATED: Keke Palmer's The 'Burbs Series Unpacks Peacock Debut Date: Watch the Teaser Trailer Now!
But Palmer wasn't done showing off her uncanny ability to impersonate stars of the blockbuster Universal Pictures movie franchise — she even broke out a stellar Ariana Grande impression, perfectly capturing the star's cadence and speaking style. (Is there anything Palmer can't do?)
Watch Keke Palmer's stunning Cynthia Erivo impression here.
Palmer has long been an outspoken fan and admirer of Erivo and her work, starting with her role in the 2019 film Harriet. In an interview with MTV UK, Palmer gushed about how "excellent" Erivo is on screen.
"I love her ability to show vulnerability, but still have this essence of just being honorable and having such a great sense of pride," she said of Erivo. "Singing, of course we know she can blow the house down. And the emotion attached to it, brava!"
RELATED: How Keke Palmer Made History with Her Second Emmy Win: "I'm Almost Speechless"
How to watch the Wicked movies, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande
To relive those iconic high notes of "Defying Gravity" like Palmer does throughout her home, you can easily watch the Wicked movies whenever you'd like.
Wicked and Wicked: For Good are both available to stream on Peacock. And once you've watch those films, you can also stream Wicked: One Wonderful Night, a televised concert special inspired by the Wicked movies.
