The buzz around Wicked is truly at fever pitch, and its cultural permeation is only growing as the movie musical continues to dominate, with everything from merchandise to viral moments taking over. One particularly viral moment has come from an impromptu performance in a local clothing store, where a group of young people brought the magic of Defying Gravity right into the aisles.
Captured on TikTok, the performance features a young girl channeling Elphaba in full costume — a black cape, witch hat, and a makeshift broom — leading the charge on the iconic song. Behind her, others are in green, supporting her with the harmonic richness of the piece, and even one person dressed in pink playing the role of Glinda. The raw energy and unexpected setting added an extra layer of charm, and the reaction was instant.
The video, which quickly gained millions of views, had viewers in awe, particularly over how the Elphaba performer effortlessly nailed the challenging notes of Defying Gravity. For many, the song is considered one of the most difficult in musical theater due to its emotional complexity and demanding vocal range, especially the high D-flat note. But this young performer handled it with the kind of grace that would make even Broadway veterans take note.
Comments poured in, with people joking that the performance deserved an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and calling for these talented kids to be scouted for performing arts schools. The viral moment captured the essence of Wicked — the mix of empowerment, determination, and artistry — and reminded viewers just how much Defying Gravity resonates with audiences no matter the context. Whether in a theater, a shopping mall, or on social media, the song continues to leave a lasting emotional impact.
It’s a testament to the power of Wicked that it’s not only inspiring full-on theater productions but also spontaneous performances like this one, showing that the magic of the show transcends any stage.