Living in a world where, no matter how smart, beautiful, kind, or talented you are, you’re still seen as a threat by those who couldn’t even take a step down the yellow brick road in your shoes, is exhausting! Constantly being casted as the villain in someone else’s story—simply because of your skin tone—is a heavy burden to carry. Speaking from experience, it’s a life that requires a high level of resilience.

Wicked the musical first premiered in NYC back in 2003, and I can still remember the excitement I felt seeing it live as a kid. The Wizard Of Oz (1939) was one of my absolute favorites, a story I’d first fallen in love with watching on VHS in 1999. I was only about nine at the time, so my memories of the musical are faint, but I distinctly recall how interactive it was—they handed out whistles and other fun noisemakers to use during key parts of the performance, making it all the more immersive and unforgettable. Experiencing that hightened my love for the Wizard Of Oz saga, but younger me had no idea what Wicked the movie will entail.

The Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba (portrayed by the phenomenal Cynthia Erivo in the movie), and The Good Witch of the South, or as Ariana Grande likes to say, Ga-Linda, were just two-dimensional characters in my mind based on what I remembered from The Wizard of Oz. But after watching the Wicked movie, they instantly transformed into real women—relatable and flawed—each on very different paths to becoming their own kind of wizard.

The movie reminded me of how we all have different purposes in life. Elphaba’s purpose was to harness her emotions and rise above the pain of her “shitty” life. What people don’t talk about enough is how much strength it takes for someone who’s had the worst hand dealt to still show up for the world, refusing to cause chaos even though they’re living in their own personal hell. People like Elphaba are always the ones who stand out, and not always in a good way. It’s like being the elephant in the room—your presence feels too big, too strong, too much for people to handle.

Powerful people, like Elphaba, often aren’t liked because others can’t understand why they have something they don’t. Even Glinda, with all her privilege, couldn’t grasp why Elphaba’s magic was being recognized over hers. Glinda hadn’t done anything to earn it—she just flipped her hair like a pretty pony and expected that to be enough. Watching their dynamic play out in Wicked was such a reminder of how often we undervalue real strength and resilience while overhyping appearances.

Elphaba’s life was a series of experiences that left her feeling out of place, unheard, and deeply misunderstood. No one seemed willing to see her for who she truly was—except Glinda, who eventually softened and began to understand her from a human standpoint. In the beginning, Glinda, like everyone else, dismissed Elphaba as nothing more than an angry, green misfit who ruined every moment she touched. What they all failed to realize was that their constant rejection and antagonism were the root of her frustration.

That level of rejection shaped Elphaba’s outlook on life. She grew up cynical, carrying the weight of not only an absent father’s love but also the pain of losing her mother. In contrast, Glinda had everything handed to her. Her parents wouldn’t even let go of her hand when she went off to college, ensuring she had the best clothes, the most fashionable shoes, and a life filled with constant praise. Glinda’s charm & privilege showed in her personality—it radiated entitlement and confidence that came from always being supported and adored.

Over time, Elphaba came to see her power not as something to fear but as something to utilize with intention. She realized she had to stand fearless, taking control of her gifts before others could exploit them for their own malicious purposes. With the exception of Dr. Dillamond, her elders failed to guide her, leaving her to navigate the world mostly on her own. Dr. Dillamond, however, showed her that her kindness and compassion weren’t entirely lost on everyone—though they were appreciated by far too few.

As she faced the realities of her world, Elphaba began to understand that many of those she had trusted—like the Wizard, Miss Coddle, and most of the SHIZ school body—were never truly on her side. Recognizing this, she stopped trying to conform or diminish herself to gain their acceptance. Instead, she chose to embrace her full, authentic self, unapologetically stepping into her power.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” —— Robert Frost

In the “Defying Gravity” aka the ending scene, Elphaba chooses the road less traveled by breaking free from the expectations placed on her. She refuses to conform to what others, including Glinda, want her to be, and instead, she embraces her true power, even if it means leaving her old life behind. It’s a bold decision to step into the unknown, but it’s one that shows her strength and independence—choosing her own destiny, even if it means walking away from the comfort and familiarity of those who can’t understand her path.

The dynamic between Elphaba and Glinda shows us something important: life doesn’t reward effort and authenticity the way it should, but that doesn’t mean you stop showing up as your real self. If you’re like Glinda, ask yourself—are you putting in real work to grow, or are you relying on privilege, perception, and charm to get by? And if you’re like Elphaba, remember that your power may intimidate others, but that doesn’t mean you should dim it.

This Wicked movie is such a reminder that we all have the ability to reflect and rewrite our stories. Whether you’re someone who has had a perfect persona, or someone who’s genuinely misunderstood, you have a chance to determine who and what you represent in this world. Choosing your own path, even when it’s harder, leads to discovering the strength and purpose you never knew you had.

What are you doing today to either challenge yourself or show up more authentically? Let’s talk about it—I’d love to hear your thoughts on how you relate to Glinda or Elphaba.

CANT WAIT FOR WICKED PT 2 IN 2025 🥹