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

Jason Momoa
TMZ

Jason Momoa Shares Emotional Update After Getting Caught In Devastating Hawaii Floods

Actor Jason Momoa shared a heart-wrenching update to fans amid the catastrophic flooding in his home state of Hawaii, the state's worst in decades.

Momoa took to his Instagram Story to update fans that he and his family were able to evacuate during the harrowing storms that have battered Hawaii and the island of Oahu in particular.

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

Design For New Commemorative Coin Featuring Trump Just Dropped—And People Can't Believe It's Real

On March 19, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), comprising people appointed by MAGA Republican President Donald Trump, unanimously approved a final design concept proposed for a 24-karat gold United States semiquincentennial commemorative coin.

Instead of featuring the Declaration of Independence or some other images central to the foundation of the nation in 1776 or more universally recognized symbols from the last 250 years, the CFA chose a sketch based on a photo of Trump leaning over the Resolute desk in the Oval Office for the coin's obverse or "heads" side.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom; ICE agents at Atlanta airport
Steve Jennings/Getty Images; Megan Varner/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Said What We're All Thinking About Trump's Decision To Deploy ICE To Airports

After President Donald Trump moved to deploy ICE agents to U.S. airports amid a partial government shutdown that has caused exceptionally long delays at TSA lines nationwide, California Governor Gavin Newsom pointed out exactly why the move is so troubling for citizens and non-citizens alike.

ICE agents are still getting paid during the shutdown, unlike TSA agents, who are currently working unpaid and struggling amid the affordability crisis. News outlets have confirmed ICE agents have been deployed in airports that serve Democratic strongholds, particularly John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports (New York), O'Hare International Airport (Chicago), and others.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reese Witherspoon
JC Olivera/Variety/Getty Images

Fans Can't Believe How Old Reese Witherspoon Is After She Just Celebrated A Milestone Birthday

Reese Witherspoon just celebrated a milestone birthday, but it wasn't her 30th or even her 40th.

Legally Blonde's Reese Witherspoon just celebrated her 50th birthday, and just like Elle Woods, she's proven yet again that it's "not hard" for her to look fabulous.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chappell Roan (left) and soccer star Jorginho Frello (right) are at the center of a reported security incident involving his 11-year-old stepdaughter in Brazil.
Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images; Ruano Carneiro/Getty Images

Chappell Roan Speaks Out After Soccer Star Says Her Security Guard Aggressively Confronted His Young Daughter

Chappell Roan has responded to an alleged altercation between the singer’s security guard and the daughter of soccer star Jorginho Frello.

On Saturday, Frello wrote on Instagram that he, his wife Catherine Harding, and his 11-year-old stepdaughter were staying at a São Paulo hotel ahead of Roan’s headlining performance at Lollapalooza Brazil when the singer, who was also apparently staying there, walked past their table at breakfast.

Keep ReadingShow less