"Watching actors encourage poor behavior": Fans disappointed by Cynthia Erivo being okay with moviegoers singing along during Wicked in theatres 

Wicked is finally out in theatres and is breaking commercial records all over the world. One of the most highly anticipated films of 2024, the film stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as Elphaba Thropp and Galinda Upland as they bring the iconic story of the stage musical to the big screen.

With Wicked being such a huge success, it was reported that fans were singing along to many of the songs during shows. However, this caused a massive divide online with many feeling that this may have been an inconvenience to those who were trying to watch the film in the same theatres.

Talking to NBC at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, actress Cynthia Erivo shared her own opinion on the situation:

“Good! I’m OK with it,” Erivo replied. “We spent this long singing it ourselves, it’s time for everyone else to join in. It’s wonderful.”

This led to her receiving some backlash for it online. Many fans thought that Erivo was encouraging "poor behavior" by asking fans to sing along during Wicked's musical numbers. Here are some of the reactions:

"Watching actors encourage poor behavior in movie theaters," said a fan online.

"They are literally having sing along screening, people go to movies for the experience to enjoy them. Not to hear random people singing do that in your own time or appropriate setting, a musical is no excuse to belt out singing," said a fan on X.

"STOP ENDORSING SINGING IN THE MIDDLE OF A MOVIE THEATER YOU HACKS, SHUT UP. DON’T SING DURING A MOVIE SCREENING," exclaimed another fan.

Many other fans agreed with these sentiments and even said that celebrities need to stop encouraging this behavior.

"Celebrities really need to stop saying this if they don't want to be seen as out-of-touch elitists," said another fan.

"That’s great but if i am paying $20 for an imax showing i want to hear her vocals and no one else. save it for the sing along," opined another fan.

"Everyone involved around the film has clearly been given the same talking point to regurgitate, probably in hopes of making viral clips of audiences singing (just like when horror movies use clips of audiences jumping and reacting.) But every normal person knows how wrong this is," shared another fan.

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Wicked sing-along screenings are being planned

Following the controversy around the audience singing during Wicked, separate sing-along events are being planned for the film. The Hollywood Reporter stated that sing-along screenings for Wicked are being planned by Alamo Drafthouse, where fans will be able to sing along with the film at their own pleasure.

Recently, AMC theatres also put up a warning before screenings, asking the audience to not sing along during the film. This was done so as not to disturb other moviegoers.

Wicked is directed by Jon M. Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and more. The film is currently playing in theatres with a sequel set to come out soon.