See Cynthia Erivo Break Down in Tears as She Surprises Students From Her Former High School

Cynthia Erivo shared an emotional full-circle moment when she surprised students at the all-girls Catholic high school she once attended in London. The students were rehearsing “For Good,” the beloved duet performed by Cynthia and Ariana Grande in Wicked, when BBC One coordinated the heartwarming surprise visit.

As soon as Cynthia walked into the room, emotions ran high. The students burst into tears — and Cynthia did too. “I went to this school and left over 20 years ago,” she said through tears, visibly moved as she watched the young performers.

When Cynthia asked the students to sing for her, the room fell silent, then filled with their harmonies. The performance overwhelmed her. “Oh my goodness… I’m just really glad to have heard that. Thank you very much for doing that,” she told them. She even joined in for an impromptu rendition of “For Good,” giving the girls a once-in-a-lifetime moment with the star herself.

As Cynthia was leaving, one student mustered the courage to ask for her signature Defying Gravity riff — and Cynthia delivered it flawlessly, drawing cheers from the room.

Her emotional school visit comes as the Wicked promotional tour nears its end. The night before, Cynthia had been honored at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London, where she stunned in a textured recycled-fiberglass fringed coat by Bottega Veneta. She and a proud Ariana Grande also spoke at the film’s Singapore premiere about being featured on the magazine’s cover.

Cynthia’s appearance at GQ came just a day after the Wicked premiere in New York City, where she skipped interviews due to losing her voice. But despite the whirlwind schedule, she and Ariana remain inseparable. “We’ve been hanging out more than we ever have,” Cynthia joked. “We’ve become quite codependent.”

Ariana, meanwhile, honored Cynthia’s Elphaba on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, wearing a vintage 1930s black sheer gown with green embroidery. She performed a theatrical medley with Jimmy and even displayed her impressive “Glinda wand skills,” perfectly executing Glinda’s iconic Twist.

Fans will see Ariana back on NBC when she hosts Saturday Night Live on December 20th, alongside Cher — returning as musical guest for the first time in nearly 40 years. “She’s a legend. She’s unbelievable,” Ariana said. “I cannot wait.”

With heartfelt reunions, iconic performances, and emotional milestones, both Cynthia and Ariana are closing out the Wicked era with unforgettable moments.