She adds, “I love India. I have been to India many times. I love the culture and the overall grandeur of Indian films because I think Indians really love films. He likes the whole culture of films. So yes, I would immediately respond with a resounding, “Please call me!”

While Michelle says she has “quite a list” of people she would love to collaborate with, she jokingly avoids naming anyone. “I know some of them well, and I would love to work with them, especially someone behind the camera. But I won’t tell any names. I’m going to get myself into trouble,” she says, laughing.

Ask Michelle if she notices any parallels between Wicked and Indian films she’s seen, especially given how Indian cinema is known for its larger-than-life spectacles and musical extravagance, and she says, “It Very similar – the whole concept of song and dance, big sets. It’s very Indian, if you look at it and compare it that way,” he said, adding, “I think our Indian friends and fans out there will really take your heart to Wicked.”

When asked what attracted him WickedMichelle gives credit to director Jon M. Chu. She shares that when Chu first asked her (to join the cast), she had not seen the musical in the West End or on Broadway. “I used to be a huge fan of musicals,” she admits, “and I think for a few years, partly because of Covid, partly because I was so busy with work and filming, I stopped going. Did it. And then, thanks to John, he got me back into theater and rekindled my love of music.

She adds, “My working relationship and friendship with John is amazing—he’s like family. He’s so talented and he creates such great space for his actors, he hones our skills to fit into such an extraordinary program, such a spectacular production. So, it was easy.

Although Michelle had never worked in a musical before, she was curious about the opportunity. However, she was “intimidated” by the prospect of singing in the film. She says, “I had never worked in a musical before. I had never sung for a film before. So I was very grateful for this opportunity. That was the key that attracted me to this role, She says, “And John knows I’m always up for a challenge. So he threw that challenge straight at me and said, ‘We’re going to make a little singer out of you.'”

Additionally, Michelle revealed that working with actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo made the decision more attractive. “They sent me a video saying, ‘It’s important that you come and join us,'” she says. How do you say no to those two angels?” She laughs.

Reflecting on my experience working WickedMichelle describes a particularly magical moment on set. She says, “When I first walked on set, it wasn’t a scene I was going to do, but I was going to meet Jon Chu to show him an amazing creation that Paul Tazewell (costume designer) had created. Had made. For one of my dresses. I walked into the forest that they had created and it was the most enchanted forest with trees, roots, grass, flowers coming through the wall. And then Cynthia started singing. His voice just kept resonating on the stage. And it’s a big stage because all our sets are huge and big. But when you hear it… you feel your heart flying in the sky with that sound. Goosebumps.”

on the topics of Wicked – Societal judgment and misunderstanding of individuals – Mitchell says the message of the story is timeless. “I think it’s something we’ve always dealt with in our society. It has always been so, and even today, we are trying to improve the situation,” she says.

She also highlights the diverse cast and crew, highlighting how much more inclusive the film feels compared to a decade ago and says that’s what makes it especially relevant today. “I’m grateful to Marc Platt (producer) and his fellow executives that they took on this incredible, important intellectual property and made the decision to find the best director and an incredible cast – the most diverse cast – to do it in its true glory. ” She says, “If this had been done 10 or 15 years ago, I definitely wouldn’t have been cast to play Madame Morrible. Jon Chu wouldn’t be there, and she wouldn’t be Ariana.

Regarding the central theme explored by Wicked – the complex and evolving friendship between the characters of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), Mitchell says she believes that friendship, especially women’s In between, there is one thing that enriches our lives. “I strongly believe in female friendship. I say this from personal experience, and I think anyone who has been there will understand this feeling,” she says, “When you have a friendship and when you develop a bond, a relationship like that, with someone, you are very Are blessed. And while this story is about two women, I think friendship is about people. So I think it also has a huge impact on our society, where we should all look at this and say, ‘We need each other. And together, we will all be stronger.”

She loves watching her co-stars, Cynthia and Ariana, adapt to their characters. “It was so amazing to watch Cynthia and Ariana blossom, flourish and develop that beautiful bond.” She adds, “Wicked highlights so many of these feelings, so many of the emotions that so many of us are going through. That’s why, over two decades, people of all different ages keep going back to it Because they look and try and understand, they try and feel and when they finish watching the music or when they finish watching the movie, they’ll go out there and find their best friend in the world. “