Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sabrina Carpenter Surprises Herself By Masterfully Hitting 'Defying Gravity' Riff In Hilarious TikTok

Sabrina Carpenter singing; Carpenter looking shocked
palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

The singer made a surprise appearance in a video on TikTok featuring several people attempting Cynthia Erivo's battle cry at the end of the song "Defying Gravity"—and she appeared to shock even herself by totally nailing it.

Sabrina Carpenter was up for a TikTok challenge where participants try wailing the famous battle cry riff at the end of the epic Wicked song, "Defying Gravity," but with her own twist.

Her look at the end says it all.


The "Espresso" singer's friend, TikToker @palomaidaliasandoval, posted a video featuring several people demonstrating their vocal chops by channeling their inner Elphaba–a.k.a. the Wicked Witch of the West character played by Cynthia Erivo in the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked currently in theaters.

The overlaying text of the clip read, "Wicked tryouts," and featured a number of people by the poolside at a residence at nighttime and giving it their all.

Among the impromptu belters was Carpenter, who went for the high notes with conviction and immediately gave a "Did I just do that?" expression.

We know who the winner was, hands down, but kudos to her fellow auditioners for abandoning inhibitions to tackle the intimidating feat.

Carpenter has an unfair advantage over her poolside peers, obvi. At 25, she is a pro singer who's performed to stadium crowds and even performed a leading role on Broadway in the musical stage adaptation of Mean Girls.

But the fact that she surprised herself here demonstrates how difficult the climactic ending to "Defying Gravity" is to sing.

Fans couldn't help but notice the same, and they loved her humble reaction.

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok


@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

It took others a hot minute to even recognize the celebrity cameo.

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

@palomaidaliasandoval/TikTok

"Defying Gravity" closes Act 1 in the stage version and wraps up the first of the two-part film adaptation.

Composed by Stephen Schwartz, the song was originally sung by Idina Menzel, who originated Elphaba on Broadway in 2003 and won a Tony Award for her performance, and has been reinterpreted numerous times on stage and TV.

Menzel's original co-star Kristin Chenoweth, who played Galinda, also sings parts of the mostly solo number.

Thanks to the new Wicked film starring Erivo and Ariana Grande, the 21-year-old song has found new life with fans "holding space" with the song's empowering lyrics.

"Defying Gravity" is sung after the Wizard of Oz reveals himself to be a scheming ruler with no magical powers and attempts to exploit Elphaba's gifts as his own to continue manipulating the people of Oz.

As she begins her transformation into the Wicked Witch, Elphaba embraces her powers and she vows to fight the Wizard. The wailing riff at the end is emblematic of her going into battle.

The vocal range required to sing the song effectively is a challenge for even the most seasoned singers but remains a coveted role opportunity.

And now it appears that Carpenter, who was nominated for five Grammys, realized that nothing can bring her down.

More from Entertainment/celebrities

Ryan Gosling; Jake Hamilton
Jake's Takes/YouTube

Ryan Gosling's Reaction To Being Interviewed By Journalist Who Is Stranded In The Desert Is All Of Us

Celebrities get interviewed from all kinds of places, but the side of the road in a desert? That's not typically one of them.

But for a recent sit-down with Ryan Gosling, that's exactly where Good Day Chicago reporter Jake Hamilton ended up asking his questions. From the side of the road, no less.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Sheldon Whitehouse and Kristi Noem
PBS News

Kristi Noem Blasted For Trying To Play Dumb After Being Shown Photos Of Bedroom On Her Luxury Jet

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was called out after appearing dumbfounded this week after Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse grilled her about her use of a luxury jet by showing her images of its bedroom.

On Monday, Noem testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee about the DHS recent funding lapse. Last month, reports surfaced that Noem’s department had sought approval from the Office of Management and Budget to purchase a luxury Boeing 737 Max 8.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Hillary Clinton; Donald Trump
@GOPoversight/X; Kay Nietfeld/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Hillary Clinton Was Asked If Trump Should Be Deposed About Epstein—And Her Blistering Response Is Spot On

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a blistering response during her deposition in the House Oversight Committee's Epstein investigation when asked about whether or not she thinks President Donald Trump should also be deposed.

Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, testified separately behind closed doors last week before the House Oversight Committee regarding their connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier, pedophile, and sex trafficker. Video recordings of the depositions were released by the committee on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
screenshots of friendly fire incident with US F-15 over Kuwait
@CNN/Instagram

Video Of Kuwaiti Locals Rushing To Help American Pilot Shot Down In Friendly Fire Incident Goes Viral

Video of Kuwaitis hurrying to check on the condition of a United States Air Force pilot who ejected from an F-15 fighter jet went viral online.

It has been reported by United States Central Command (CENTCOM) that three U.S. military jets were accidentally shot down over Kuwait as a result of "an apparent friendly fire incident" by Kuwaiti air defenses. Initial reports attributed the crashes to Iranian military forces.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Was Spotted With A Huge Rash On His Neck—And Nobody Is Buying The Explanation

President Donald Trump's health and fitness are once again in the spotlight after he was spotted with a red rash on his neck to go along with the bruises on his hands—and the White House physician's explanation for the matter isn't satisfying anyone.

A reddish mark could be seen on Trump's neck during a Medal of Honor ceremony on Monday, extending above his shirt collar and ending just beneath his ear.

Keep ReadingShow less