Cynthia Erivo and Misty Copeland Unveil a Haunting Reimagining of “No Good Deed”
Fans of Wicked received an unexpected preview of Cynthia Erivo’s interpretation of the show’s memorable ballad — and it arrives in a visually arresting, nontraditional form.
On Friday, Nov. 14, the Tony Award winner appeared in a short film alongside principal ballerina Misty Copeland. The piece opens with the two women standing apart in a warm, chandelier-lit room, dressed in elegant gowns. As a sparse, creeping string arrangement accompanies Erivo’s voice, she slowly approaches Copeland while the dancer responds with graceful turns, extensions and controlled arabesques.
Erivo delivers the song’s plaintive refrain with fierce clarity, winding into an elaborate final riff before the pair clasp hands and hold a powerful tableau.
After a soaring, improvisational flourish on the last note, Erivo and Copeland join hands and strike a striking pose, the choreography and vocal phrasing forming a single, cinematic moment.
The video premiered a week before the global rollout of Wicked: For Good — the second installment following last year’s adaptation and the capstone to the live-action trilogy. Erivo’s rendition of “No Good Deed” appears on the Part 2 soundtrack, which also includes two new songs performed by Erivo and Ariana Grande.
As international screenings for For Good ramp up, cast members have been attending premieres across the globe — from Brazil to Paris, London to Singapore. At the Singapore event, Erivo made headlines for her swift reaction when an individual leapt over the red-carpet barrier and lunged toward Ariana Grande; Erivo intervened, and authorities later detained the man, who was reported to face charges described as public nuisance.
Watch Erivo and Copeland’s evocative interpretation of “No Good Deed” below.
