Cynthia Erivo Opens Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade After Battling Vocal Issues

Fresh off her whirlwind Wicked press tour, Cynthia Erivo made a triumphant return to center stage on Thursday, November 27th, as she opened the 99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with a stirring rendition of Nina Simone’s classic “Feeling Good.”

The Tony-winning actress delivered a powerful and emotional performance, hitting every note with confidence despite recently losing her voice at the end of the Wicked for Good promotional run. The crowd erupted into applause as Erivo belted out: “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me.”

After her performance, Erivo joined several Radio City Rockettes to officially cut the parade’s opening ribbon, declaring with a bright smile, “Now, let’s have a parade!”

Erivo then stopped by NBC’s coverage to chat briefly with hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb. During the interview, the 38-year-old star reflected on her recent vocal strain, which forced her to skip interviews—including the Wicked premiere in New York City—but emphasized that rest and vocal care had helped her make a strong return for the holiday event.

She also discussed her instinctive reaction during a viral incident earlier this month, when a fan rushed Ariana Grande at the Wicked for Good premiere in Singapore. Erivo had immediately stepped between Grande and the fan, later telling Guthrie that her only thought in the moment was to protect her friend.

“That was full mama bear Cynthia,” Guthrie remarked.

“I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe,” Erivo explained. “I’m sure he didn’t mean any harm, but you never know with situations like that. My first instinct was to make sure she was okay.”

The incident occurred when Australian fan Johnson Wen jumped a barricade and wrapped his arm around Grande on the red carpet. Erivo intervened instantly, with castmate Michelle Yeoh also stepping in to shield the singer. The moment spread quickly online, with fans praising Erivo’s quick thinking and her evident bond with Grande.

Wen was later sentenced to nine days in prison for being a public nuisance and has reportedly been banned from Singapore.

Despite the challenges of recent weeks, Erivo’s parade performance marked a powerful and hopeful new chapter—one that showcased her resilience, her artistry, and her unwavering loyalty to her friends.