Michelle Yeoh Opens Up About Her Nerves Filming ‘Wicked’

Michelle Yeoh, celebrated for her standout performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, is no stranger to challenging roles. But when it came to her part in the highly anticipated Wicked films, she found herself facing a brand-new hurdle: singing. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Yeoh recounted her journey to joining the cast of Wicked, a franchise that has already shattered box office records and is set to do it again with its sequel.

Yeoh admitted she had little connection to the world of Oz before director Jon M. Chu reached out to her directly.

“He called me and he said, ‘I would like you to read the script, I really would love for you to play Madame Morrible’. And I go, ‘OK’.”

Her initial excitement quickly gave way to doubt after reading the script. She realized the role required her to sing—something she’d never done professionally.

“I know The Wizard Of Oz very well, but I hadn’t seen the musical Wicked. I call him back, and I say, ‘Jon, my love, it’s a musical, and I don’t sing’. Not properly or professionally or anything like that.”

Facing the Music

Despite her reservations, Chu was determined to have Yeoh on board.

“So then, typical of Jon, he says ‘don’t worry about it’. I swear to god this guy is a visionary, and he can convince you to do the impossible.”

Still unsure, Yeoh wondered how she could possibly pull off the role. The director enlisted the help of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play Elphaba and Glinda, to persuade her. The two stars called Yeoh and told her,

“It’s imperative and important that you join us now.”

Even after agreeing to join the cast, Yeoh’s nerves didn’t subside. She confessed that performing alongside Erivo and Grande was intimidating.

“When I had to sing, I must say, I was terrified. These two girls…”

She described feeling anxious and out of her depth, especially when it came time to sing live on set.

On-Set Anxiety

Yeoh’s experience is a reminder that even the most accomplished actors can feel out of place in new territory. She explained that her nerves didn’t fade after the first day, as they often do. Instead, she continued to feel uneasy about her singing abilities.

“Bloody hell! They sing live! Cut me some slack, please! When we started my song [‘The Wizard And I’] with Cynthia Erivo, I was literally squeaking.”

The Wicked cast is packed with powerhouse performers, and Yeoh’s apprehension was understandable. The production itself has been surrounded by wild stories, from unusual press events to cast members getting matching tattoos. For Yeoh, stepping into this world was both thrilling and daunting, especially when her character wasn’t clad in the signature pink or green.

Holding Her Own

Despite her fears, Yeoh managed to hold her own among the star-studded cast. While she may not be eager to take on another singing role anytime soon, her willingness to step outside her comfort zone speaks volumes about her dedication and talent.