Bachelor in Paradise Recap: Dump That Dean!

Eric J. Grimm
Sep 05, 2017

Are you as emotionally unprepared as I am for four more hours of Bachelor in Paradise? As Paradise speeds toward the end, these purgatory dwellers are surfing on a wave of passion toward heartbreak, or maybe everlasting love?

The strongest couplings are coming into full focus after last week’s shenanigans, but we’re still stuck with playboy Dean, who continues to torment Kristina while exploring his feelings for D-Lo. Baby Bro is a total dumpster fire at this point and certainly an unlikely candidate to continue with the franchise in a bigger capacity, but let’s continue to watch him be, as Dominique puts it, “the ultimate f***boy,” shall we?

While Dean struggles with CHOICES, Blake (Rachel’s season) arrives in Paradise to the excitement of pretty much no one. After striking out with multiple women who find him as annoying and sweaty as I do, he falls into Scallop Fingers’ treacherous waters and asks her on a date. Fred (Rachel’s season) also shows up and goes all Mr. Steal Your Girl on Diggy by asking out Dominique. Blake, Scallop Fingers, Fred, and Dominique go on a double date featuring speedboating and zip-lining. Finally, a date that isn’t margaritas and dancing! Scallop Fingers gets nauseous while Dominique very much enjoys herself with Fred. Protect your heart, Diggy!

Likely personal injury attorney Jack Stone is pretty bummed that Scallop Fingers went off with Blake. Why would she do such a thing? Turns out Scallop Fingers has told all the ladies that Jack Stone is a bad kisser. Luckily, these ladies are class acts and take it upon themselves to kiss Jack Stone and teach him how to be a good kisser. But Scallop Fingers may have been telling fish tales (sorry, y’all) because Jasmine, Raven, and D-Lo have a great time kissing him. Will this turn the tide for the dude who has to insist he isn’t a serial killer?

Scallop Fingers has three different options, but before she entertains fish enthusiasts, it’s time to reveal to him that her nickname is Scallop Fingers. She expresses her annoyance to Daniel who asks, “What other crustaceans do you like?” Scallops are not crustaceans, dingus. After Daniel leaves to probably go mop up more of Lacey’s tears, Blake brings Scallop Fingers greasy scallops and kisses her right after she eats them. Then Tickle Monster comes by to kiss her. Then Jack Stone comes by to kiss her. Good god, the mark of the scallop is POWERFUL.

Dean continues to play games with Kristina and D-Lo. Kristina asks Raven for advice and Raven makes it clear that not only is Dean not worth it, but that Kristina can’t blame D-Lo. Kristina does not want to hear this and fights with Raven about her right to place equal blame on D-Lo. Raven is Paradise MVP, and of course, she’s right. D-Lo has gotten every indication from Dean that he and Kristina are not exclusive. Listen to Raven, Kristina! Everything sounds folksy-wise when someone says it in a Southern accent!

Ben Z. dips before the rose ceremony to spend the rest of his life with his dog. At the rose ceremony, solid couplings Lacey and Daniel, Taylor and Derek, Amanda and Robby, and Raven and Adam prove that PARADISE WORKS by exchanging roses and hurtling toward what will almost certainly be eternal love. Dominique, torn before between two men, is actually not that torn and picks Diggy over new potential paramour Fred. Jasmine saves Tickle Monster, leaving Scallop Fingers only two men to choose. She chooses likely personal injury attorney Jack Stone, leaving Blake sweaty and alone.

Kristina’s up and it’s time not to give a rose but to give a speech. She indicates that she wants to be valued and respected in her next relationship and can’t give out a rose. She hugs everyone except for Dean and D-Lo. Dean walks her out and apologizes in a limp attempt at chivalry. D-Lo is left to half-heartedly give a rose to Dean. Fred and Blake got a nice day vacation in Paradise but it’s too late in the game at this point for anyone to come in and really shake things up, right. RIGHT?!?

(Photos via ABC + Getty)

10 Unexpected Life Lessons I Learned from Binge-Watching "The O.C." As an Adult

I don’t want to say that I didn’t appreciate The O.C. when it aired in real time in 2003, because I really did. I knew from the moment those haunting Phantom Planet lyrics started playing from my TV screen that I had something special. I knew from the moment that Ryan Atwood and Marissa Cooper locked eyes for the first time that I was about to witness a teen drama love story unlike any other one I’d seen. If I sound extra, it’s because I mean to be! As an awkward middle schooler, The O.C.‘s quippy dialogue and emotional scenes gave me an outlet for my adolescent emotions, and its top-notch soundtracks set the stage for teary nights in my room.

I recently embarked on my first binge-watch of the first season as an adult, and I was fascinated by the extent to which a little grown-up perspective changed my colorful Orange County world. Once totally enamored with Marissa and Summer’s wardrobes, I was now more concerned with the subtle relationship dynamics playing out on screen (okay, the fashion is still pretty incredible). Once too in love with Seth to see his flaws, I was now tuned into the way his social faux pas and self-absorption made him kind of a bad catch. The O.C. has plenty to teach tweens and adults, but here are just 10 of the life lessons I learned from my recent rewatch of the show's first season.

Life Lessons From "The O.C."

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

1. A homemade breakfast can cure anything that ails you — and is pretty much guaranteed to make you more popular in any situation

A major tension in the first few episodes is the conflict between Sandy and Kirsten Cohen about whether or not Ryan should be allowed to stay in that beautiful pool house on a more permanent basis. True to form, Sandy the “Crusader for Justice” wants to give the kid from Chino a shot, while Kirsten thinks he’d be better off in foster care. While Ryan’s homemade breakfast doesn’t mark the final conclusion to this conflict, it definitely eases tensions between him and Kirsten. It just goes to show — there are few things that perfectly scrambled eggs can’t fix!

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

2. Hiding from a problem is typically not the best solution

As any group of high schoolers — or, at least, any group of high schoolers with easy access to empty mansions — would do, Seth and Marissa decide that the best way to avoid having Ryan sent to foster care is to hide him in one of Kirsten and Caleb’s model homes. Great idea, right? Wrong! I’ll spare you the dramatic details of the fight, the fire, and the awkward revelations about the history between Marissa’s dad and Kirsten, but suffice to say that hiding from potential consequences is rarely the answer...even if you are planning to do it in a mansion.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

3. Share your dreams with the people you love

While Seth is open with Ryan early in the season about his dream to sail alone to Tahiti, it’s unclear whether or not he’s been as clear with his parents about it. This comes back to bite him in the you-know-where later in the season (and into The O.C. season 2), when he decides to flee Newport in pursuit of his lone journey. Don’t you think it would’ve been handy for people to know his dreams so they could support him in a more meaningful way?

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

4. Be open about your exes

Oh, where do I begin with this one? There are countless instances in this series where untold secrets about a previous relationship rear their ugly head at very inopportune times for the people involved, but let’s call Ryan, Marissa, and Theresa Exhibit A. If Ryan had been honest with new flame Marissa about his romantic past in Chino from the get-go, he would have avoided an extremely uncomfortable Thanksgiving encounter...and who knows what else? If you’ve had a tendency to be cagey about your exes with a current bae, watching Ryan’s example should make you want to be more honest.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

5. People are rarely as intimidating as you think they are

For years, Seth was so enamored with Summer that all he could do was pine for her and secretly bestow her name on his boat, but when they finally met and start flirting, he learns that he’s not the only student at The Harbor School who sleeps with a toy horse next to their bed. (Princess Sparkle and Captain Oats are still so meant to be.) Think of how much less time our boy Cohen would have spent feeling sorry for himself if he’d thought for even one second that Summer was potentially his own kind of dork.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

6. It’s important to know when to bring in an expert

Marissa got in way over her head in The O.C. when she tried to tackle Oliver’s health issues on her own, and while she probably needed a real grown up, even adults can learn from the cautionary tale that played out in the penthouse of that fancy hotel. It’s important to learn what you can handle and what’s above your pay grade. There’s no shame in admitting that you can’t get through something on your own. Rather, there’s only shame in knowing that a problem exists and that you didn’t seek the help that’s really needed.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

7. Making a choice is almost always necessary, even if it seems like you can have it all

Teenagers everywhere swooned at the thought of being in Seth’s shoes (Chuck Taylors, obviously) and having twoseemingly perfect suitors vying for their attention. Remember those awesome Chrismukkah gifts Seth got from both Summer and Anna? Well, it seemed too good to be true at the time…and it was, because in the end, Seth had to make a choice, and his inability to do so in the first place really damaged his credibility.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

8. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time

Sandy and Kirsten spend a lot of time in The O.C. season 1 trying to put their faith in Caleb, even though he continually proved he couldn't be trusted. While it’s nice to give people the benefit of the doubt, this dysfunctional family dynamic should serve as a reminder to all of us that people’s actions speak a whole lot louder than their words.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

9. It takes a lot longer to rebuild trust than it does to destroy it

Ryan is basically the poster child for trust issues, and every time he’s let down by one of his friends (ahem, Marissa), we get a front row seat to the inevitably long process of the aforementioned disappointing friend trying to win him back. Life would be much easier — and TV much less interesting, I guess — if we didn’t tamper with people’s trust in the first place.

Image via Warner Bros./IMDb

10. Appreciate family members and all of their quirks

No relationship better demonstrates this truth in The O.C. than that between the Cohen family and The Nana. By the time Sandy’s mother has arrived in Newport, we’ve already been treated to tons of family folklore about how intimidating and, well, mean she is. So when we find out later in the episode (spoiler alert!) that she actually has cancer, it’s like a punch to the gut for us too. This particular emotional roller coaster should serve as a lesson to us all that it’s important to appreciate the good, the bad, and the ugly in our family members because our time with them isn’t guaranteed.

What life lessons did you take from The O.C. and the other shows you loved most as a teenager? Follow us on Facebook and TikTok for more thoughtful takes on your favorite pop culture.

Lead photo via Warner Bros./IMDb

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11 Fun Holiday Sweaters That Give Your Ugly Christmas Sweaters A Run For Their Money

As much as I love an ugly Christmas sweater party, a small part of me still cringes at just how wacky they can be. There's a very fine line between 'ugly Christmas sweater' and 'playful holiday get-up' – but I think these fun holiday sweaters strike the perfect balance of the two. They're all colorful, festive, and so much fun to wear to any and every holiday get-together you've got going this year.

Scroll on for our favorite fun holiday sweaters for every party!

Anthropologie

1. The Violette Short-Sleeve Tinsel Sweater by Maeve

With 'tinsel' literally in this sweater's name, you'll be making a shiny statement wherever you wear this piece. It also comes in silver, gold, navy blue, and brown to suit your personal holiday style.

Abercrombie & Fitch

2. The A&F Madeline Crew Sweater

This femme 'fit boasts a bow that's reminiscent of holiday gifts and all things merry. It only helps that this sweater is super soft to the touch!

Urban Outfitters

3. Out From Under Catching Feelings Fairisle Print Cropped Pullover

This sweet holiday sweater has an adorable reindeer design along the front, so it's instantly going to fit in for any holiday party. You can also snag the pair of matching shorts to complete the coziness if you'd rather stay in.

Urban Outfitters

4. BDG Stella Star Graphic Oversized Pullover Sweater

With this sweater, you'll literally be a star. The color palette challenges holiday tradition in the best way, though you could totally make it a better fit for a party with a black mini skirt, tights, and metallic boots.

Anthropologie

5. Maeve Faux-Fur Collar Cropped Cardigan Sweater

Oh, so fancy! This cardi's collar is lined with faux fur to make it feel ultra-luxe. Layer it over your best party dress, and voila!

Nordstrom

6. ASTR the Label Velvet Bow Cardigan

Bring on more bows, please! This tie-up cardigan secures with two oversized velvet bows that speak to the holiday season flawlessly.

Gap Factory

7. Gap Factory Peanuts Relaxed Gap Logo Sweatshirt

Snoopy is truly a holiday icon, especially in his dramatic puffer jacket. Don the famous dog on this cozy sweatshirt – it's so much cuter than an ugly Christmas sweater, plus you'll earn mega compliments (everyone loves Snoop!) wearing it.

Free People

8. Free People Festive Frost Sweater

This fuzzy sweater is downright festive, thanks to the traditional stripes across the top half. We love it because it still leans very 'holiday,' but isn't explicitly so, since the color palette isn't just reds and greens.

Nordstrom

9. Vinyl Icons Martini Embellished Off The Shoulder Graphic Fleece Sweatshirt

Espresso martinis are a hallmark of the holiday season, and you simply can't change our minds on that. Get playful with your holiday sweater selection with this design that evokes a happy hour at any time of day, especially on a holiday break away from school or work!

Free People

10. We The Free Flower Patch Sweater

You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of this sweet red sweater around the holidays! The slouchy fit is ideal for pairing with even more winter layers to stay warm.

American Eagle

11. American Eagle Whoa So Soft Oversized Grinch Holiday Sweater

With Christmas' favorite villain on it, this super-soft sweater will always be in style around the holidays.

Subscribe to our newsletter for more holiday outfit ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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‘Bachelor’ Season 23 Finale Recap, Part 2: What Happened Between Colton and Cassie? (Spoilers)

It seems like a lifetime ago that we were watching season 23 Bachelor star Colton Underwood roam the Portugal countryside after being rejected by the one woman he apparently loves. But according to the laws of time and Chris Harrison, it was yesterday. Still, we’ve all seen and been through a lot since then, so let’s start from the beginning — or, as it were, the beginning of the end.

(Warning: This post contains spoilers from the Tuesday, March 12, episode of The Bachelor. If you have not seen the season 23 finale and don’t want to know what happens, stop reading here.)

Unlike with past seasons, the question tonight wasn’t who Colton would pick or even whether he was engaged, since that seemed like a long-shot. Instead, it was whether the woman he had already chosen would choose him back.

Going into Tuesday’s finale, Colton was completely single, having broken up with both Tayshia Adams and Hannah Godwin in order to pursue Cassie Randolph, who left the show after telling him she wasn’t in love with him. In the final moments of Monday’s episode, we saw him approach her door — right before the cameras cut away to host Chris Harrison.

Fortunately, the show jumped immediately back into the action on Tuesday. Cassie answered the door, visibly shocked to see Colton, and agreed to talk outside, where he revealed that he had broken up with Tayshia and Hannah on the off-chance that she would give their relationship another chance. “I’m not telling you that I love you. I want to show you,” he declared.

And just like that, they were seemingly back on track. Cassie said she still had some reservations and didn’t know what she was ready for, which is why she had broken up with him in the first place, but she was clearly moved by his gesture and agreed to travel to Spain to meet his family.

Understandably, though, there was some apprehension on both sides — Cassie’s and his family’s — about the unexpected change in plans. Cassie worried what his family would think of the situation, since she had (very recently) dumped Colton, and his family worried that he was setting himself up to be hurt by her again. (Honestly, same.) They had a lot of questions for her, particularly about what his mom called her “decision to bail,” but to her credit, she answered them honestly, admitting she didn’t know what the future held for them and wasn’t totally on the same page with Colton yet.

Colton, for his part, tried to reassure his parents that she was worth it and he had every hope that she would eventually fall in love with him. But it seemed like he was trying to convince himself and Cassie, too.

Fortunately, he had one more date to get her fully on board. After driving around Mallorca, Spain, for a bit, they arrived at the shore, where they rappelled down an oceanside cliff to get to a picnic, as Colton mused, in voiceover, about taking risks for love, even when there’s no safety net. (A little on the nose, ABC.)

Once they were back on solid ground again, Cassie confessed some of her fears about relationships. (Apparently, she had a college boyfriend who became controlling.) She said she worried she wouldn’t have the freedom to be herself anymore, but Colton said he loved her because she was herself. “More than ever, I feel how much Colton loves me,” she said in a confessional after the fact. “And I think I’m starting to kind of accept it.” Not the most romantic response, but okay.

Later that night, at dinner, Colton pulled out the invitation to the Fantasy Suite. To no one’s surprise, she said yes, and after a few minutes of on-camera kissing, Colton broke the fourth wall, told the crew members he loved them, and then promptly kicked them out — only to emerge a few minutes later to ask them to de-mic him. As the sound engineers walked away, one of them wished Colton good luck, and then he and Cassie disappeared behind closed doors.

At this point in the episode, the show took a break and invited Ben Higgins, Jason Tartick, Chris Randone, and season 23 contestants Onyeka, Demi, and Sydney to discuss what Colton and Cassie may or may not have done in the Fantasy Suite. (Note to Bachelor producers: Please don’t do this in the future.) Thankfully, most of them seemed to agree that the question of Colton’s virginity was not nearly as important as the question of Cassie’s commitment.

Which brings us to the next morning. Colton kept the details of their night together private, saying only that they did what was best for their relationship. And in case you were worried — we were! — that relationship is still going strong.

Colton and Cassie made their first appearance as a couple during the live portion of the finale, and a giggly, giddy Cassie told everyone they’re “super in love.” They’ve even talked about getting engaged. Cassie said nothing’s holding her back now, but Colton said they’re just enjoying dating, so there’s no ring yet, but it sounds like there might be one in the not-too-distant future.

For now, he’s living near her in LA and they’re making plans to travel over the next year. “I feel like the luckiest girl in the world,” she gushed to Chris.

That would have been a good place to end the show, but Chris couldn’t let them go without asking point-blank whether Colton had lost his virginity. He declined to share — honestly, good for him — so Chris ended the interview by introducing a performance from Air Supply, which… made about as much sense as anything else this season. See you next time, friends!

RELATED: Which ‘Bachelor’ and ‘Bachelorette’ Couples Are Still Together?

(Photos via ABC/Josh Vertucci + ABC/John Fleenor)

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20 Hilarious Christmas Party Games That Will Make Your Family Reunion EPIC

Christmas party games are a fun way to connect, relieve some holiday stress, and bring some holiday cheer, way better than zoning out in front of the TV or navigating tricky political conversations. Whether you're hosting a holiday party or hosting the big day (or eve), here are some ROFL Christmas games for adults and kids to experience real holiday joy, perhaps create some new traditions, and take the best IG shots of the season.

Here are 20 exciting Christmas party games you can play with the whole family!

Shutterstock

Christmas Charades

Play charades with a holiday twist! Write down Christmas-themed clues (e.g., decorating a tree, Rudolph, Mariah Carey, building a snowman...) and have teams act them out. Keep it simple for kids, especially ones learning to read, or add some pop culture references (Buddy the Elf, anyone?) for adults-only parties.

Shutterstock

Name That Carol!

Play short snippets of Christmas songs and have guests guess the title. To up the challenge, use instrumental versions or hum the tune. For kids, you can turn this into musical chairs with holiday music!

Shutterstock

Christmas Trivia

Create trivia questions about Christmas movies, traditions, and songs. Bonus points for the most obscure facts! Here's a few to start:

  • Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree? (Answer: Germany)
  • In the song Twelve Days of Christmas, what is given on the 7th day? (Answer: Swans a-swimming)
  • Which country celebrates “Feliz Navidad”? (Answer: Spain or Latin American countries)

Shutterstock

Guess the Holiday Scent

Use candles, essential oils, or holiday-themed spices like cinnamon, peppermint, or pine. Blindfold guests and have them guess the scent. Throw in some unexpected surprises like egg nog, maple syrup or Scotch tape.

Shutterstock

Snowball NBA

If you're lucky enough to have a White Christmas, set up buckets outside labeled with different point values. Guests toss real snowballs, or “snowballs” like white cotton balls or small foam balls if you're playing indoors, into the buckets for points.

Shutterstock

The Awkward Gift Wrap Race

Find awkwardly shaped items around the house, like a basketball or stuffed animal, and provide rolls of wrapping paper. The fastest (and neatest) gift wrapper wins!

Shutterstock

Ornament Relay

Hand out spoons or chopsticks and teams have to race to get ornaments from one side of the room to another.

Shutterstock

Candy Cane Hunt

Similar to an Easter egg hunt, hide candy canes around the house or yard and let guests hunt for them. Wrap a few with dollar bills to up the ante .;)

Shutterstock

Holiday "Who Am I?"

Stick Christmas-themed names or characters (e.g., the Grinch, Jude Law, Holiday Armadillo, Charlie Brown) on players' foreheads. Guests ask yes/no questions to guess who they are. It's a great ice breaker for new friends!

cottonbro studio

Gingerbread Decoration Contest

Anything with a ticking clock adds a certain element of hilarity to it. Give your teams gingerbread houses with icing and decorations. Let the creativity flow, and award prizes for categories like “most festive” or “funniest" or "worst construction."

RDNE Stock project

Here are more Christmas games to play this season:

Jingle Bell Toss: Set up your college-era Solo cups into a bowling pin formation at opposite ends of the table. Each players tries to get large jingle bellsinto the opposite side’s cups. The first player to get a bell in each cup wins.

Human Hungry Hungry Hippo: Pair up, stand in a circle, and hand out plastic candy canes. Toss shatterproof Christmas balls in the middle of the circle. One person stands, holding the feet of the other person on the floor. The person on the floor tries to collect more balls with the candy cane than the other teams for a human version of Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Christmas Pictionary: Like charades, but on paper. Use pop culture references like "Hallmark Holiday Movie" or holiday-themed phrases like "Silent Night" for teammates to guess.

Left-Right Christmas Story Game: Make up a holiday story that includes the words "left" and "right" often. Guests pass a wrapped gift or object left or right as the words are mentioned, and whoever holds it at the end keeps the gift!

Christmas Bingo: Downloadbingo cards with holiday symbols or themes. Mark them off as they’re called out. First to yell “Bingo!” wins.

Reindeer Ring Toss: Use inflatable reindeer antler hats (or make your own) and toss rings to see who can "decorate" the reindeer.

Christmas Cookie Taste Test: Bake or buy a variety of holiday cookies. Blindfold guests and see who can identify the most flavors correctly.

Christmas Movie Emoji Quiz: Create a string of emojis that represent Christmas movies and have guests guess the titles.

Snowman Building Contest: If there’s snow, go outdoors for a snowman-building competition! If indoors, use toilet paper to “wrap” someone as a snowman.

Holiday Scavenger Hunt: Make a list of Christmas-related items like a red ornament, mistletoe, or a stocking and have guests search for them in teams.

Christmas Karaoke: Set up a karaoke machine or app and sing along to holiday classics. Bonus points for best singer or most dramatic performance!

Subscribe to our newsletter for more fun holiday inspo!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

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'Wicked' Sing-Alongs Are Coming To Theaters! Here's When You Can Finally Belt 'Defying Gravity.'

Following in the footsteps of movie musicals like Mean Girls, Wicked might just be the 2024 movie we're most excited for. The fantastical design, beautiful songs, and enemies-turned-besties relationship between Elphaba and Glinda come together like magic. The show first opened on Broadway in 2003 with Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. Stephen Schwartz, lyricist and composer, has teased the film since 2017, and every little bit of new news gets us more excited to finally travel to Oz on the big screen. Keep reading for everything we know about the gravity-defying fall movie!

Here's the latest news on 2024's brand new Wicked movie.

  • Wicked is coming to theaters this November.
  • The movie's based on the musical of the same name, which premiered in 2003.
  • The Wicked cast includes Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, and Marissa Bode.

Is there a Wicked movie singalong?

Universal Pictures

Good news for singers and theatre kids alike: Wicked singalongs are coming to theaters! While the movie premieres on November 22, interactive screenings are coming to around 1,000 movie theaters in North America starting December 25. Stay tuned for location details! Until then, please do us all a favor and hum under your breath during "Defying Gravity."

What has the Wicked cast said about each other?

Universal Pictures

The Wicked cast truly became a family onset. Ethan Slater exclusively told Brit + Co that Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo welcomed everyone into the film "with open arms," while Michelle Yeoh added working together was "magical." Meanwhile, our leading ladies went viral for crying over how much they mean to each other.

And Jonathan Bailey just spilled some more behind the scenes secrets in his Vanity Fair cover story. In addition to calling Ari and Cynthia "the girls" (which is a nickname I love!! I feel like it emphasizes how close they are by highlighting the fact there's only two people he could be talking about), he opened up about the support he received making the transition from Fellow Travelers and Bridgerton to Wicked.

"I’d flown back from Canada and then I was filming Bridgerton," he says. "I met the girls then, and they were well and truly underway. I remember going to the dressing rooms, and theirs were pink and green and were just spilling into the hallway. And mine was just an interrogation room with nothing. But I did spend the whole day with [choreographer] Chris Scott and went from Chris Scott to see [musical writer] Stephen Schwartz, and it was just, for me, boot camp days. You just lean on the amazing choreographers and obviously [director] Jon M. Chu’s vision."

What is the Wicked movie release date?

Universal Pictures

Wicked: Part I hits theaters on November 22, 2024. It was originally scheduled for a Christmas release (and then Thanksgiving) but the sooner, the better IMO!

And good news for any Amazon Prime subscribers: you can see the movie early! Amazon's new “Oz on Amazon” campaign means members can screen Wicked in theaters November 18, four whole days before the rest of the world sees it. Get tickets here while they're still available!

Will there be a Wicked movie soundtrack?

Universal Pictures

Yes, we're getting a Wicked movie soundtrack! Full of beloved Broadway numbers like "Popular," "I'm Not That Girl," and "The Wizard and I," this is an album for a whole new generations of Ozians.

“The other week I was visiting my family in Boca and I was up late one night with my headphones on because the mixes had just come in for the soundtrack,” Ariana Grande told Allure in September. “I was sitting in my childhood bedroom with the poster across from my bed signed by the original Broadway cast and listening to our mixes of the soundtrack. It was really emotional. I just burst into tears.”

Watch The Wicked Trailer!

Universal Pictures

If you didn't already believe that Wicked was going to be the musical movie event of the century, this trailer will convince you. The dancing! The costumes! The literal magic! I am going to be weeping the entire time (and I need to start working on my Halloween costume STAT!)

Check Out The New Wicked Poster

Universal Pictures

The newest Wicked poster shows off Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba like we've never seen! As a Glinda girl myself, I love to see all the details on Ariana's costume, plus all the texture and intricacies on Cynthia's. The poster is totally giving "The Creation of Adam" painting with Glinda and Elphaba just out of reach of one another — and it also reminds of "Defying Gravity" since Elphaba is in the air!

Who else is in the Wicked movie cast?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

We got a first (leaked) look at Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero the week of May 13. We already know that he can sing so we're extra excited to see him in action alongside Ariana and Cynthia!

In this Vanity Fair first look, we see the three actors are joined by a powerhouse cast including Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard and Everything Everywhere All At Once star (and Academy Award winner!!) Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible. The cast also features Broadway actor Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, SNL star Bowen Yang as Pfannee, and The Greatest Showman actress Keala Settle as Miss Coddle.

We might have gotten a first glimpse at the movie during CinemaCon 2023, but this year's convention finally revealed the one cast member we've been waiting for: Dr. Dillamond, who will be played by Peter Dinklage.

"The wicked movie now has an academy award winner, grammy winner, tony winner and an oliver award winner," says @sheeshgwws on X. "i mean the talent is stacked."

Who auditioned for the Wicked movie?

Kevin Winter/Frazer Harrison/Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Before we got the official Wicked cast list, it turns out that a lot of our favorite stars went out for the film! When the movie was in its earliest stages of pre-production, back in 2014, Lea Michele and Harry Styles were reportedly the frontrunners for Elphaba and Fiyero (via The Guardian).

And once Jon M. Chu was attached to direct and the film really took off, a lot of stars we know and love made it into the audition room. Reneé Rapp told Watch What Happens Live that she auditioned for Glinda, while Dove Cameron confirmed she also auditioned for the role, via The Wrap. Amanda Seyfried was also in the running for the Good Witch, and revealed she auditioned (via Cosmopolitan) when she was playing Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout.

But the most surprising bit of news to me is that Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas went out for the same role! Nick confirmed to Variety that both brothers auditioned for Fiyero.

Considering in the mid-2010s One Direction was at the top of their game, Mamma Mia star Amanda Seyfried proved her singing chops again in Les Misérables, and we all had major crushes on the Jonas Brothers (still do, TBH), this cast would have overwhelmed every Tumblr musical theater girlie in the very best way.

Who is Jonathan Bailey playing in Wicked?

Sophy Holland/Universal Pictures/Vanity Fair

Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton is starring as playboy-turned-lover boy Fiyero. When he first meets Glinda and Elphaba, he's taken with Glinda's charm and popularity, but he quickly realizes there's much more to Elphaba than meets the eye. In this Vanity Fair first look, we see that just like Anthony Bridgerton, Fiyero has an affinity for vests, billowy shirts, and horses. I'm not mad about it.

Why was Ariana Grande at the Oscars 2024?

Rodin Eckenroth/Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo presented the award for "Best Score" and "Best Original Song" at the Oscars 2024! The duo showed up ahead of the Wicked movie (which hits theaters this fall), wearing their best Oz-approved fashion. Ariana Grande wore a voluminous bubblegum pink gown from Giambattista Valli Haute Couture that was reminiscent of Glinda the Good Witch, while Cynthia Erivo channeled Elphaba in a leather green Louis Vuitton dress.

While the aesthetic and fabric of both dresses were very different (similar to their Wicked characters!) both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo looked stunning and otherworldly thanks to the artistic silhouettes. I am simply in love with Ariana's off-the-shoulder bubble cape, and Cynthia's ruffled sleeves. I can't wait to see the rest of their press looks!

What is the Wicked movie about?

Universal Pictures

Wicked is an origin story for the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good from The Wizard of Oz. As young women, Elphaba and Glinda uncover the wizard's plot to suppress all of the animals in Oz and keep his power. When Elphaba tries to expose him, he frames her for the act. Wicked will be directed by Jon M. Chu, who also directed 2021's In The Heights. We loved his work on that blockbuster musical, so we can't wait to see what Chu brings to the big screen with Wicked this time!

Who will play Elphaba in the wicked movie?

Cynthia Erivo/Instagram

Elphaba will be played by Broadway star Cynthia Erivo. She starred in a revival of The Color Purplefrom 2015 to 2017, winning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. She also took to the screen in films like Harriet, Pinocchio, and Bad Times at the El Royale. Cynthia Erivo first teased her Wicked look in an Instagram post, and we can't wait to see more!

Who is playing Glinda?

Ariana Grande/Instagram

Popstar and actress Ariana Grande will play Glinda in the films. We're very excited about this, especially after she sang "The Wizard And I" at the 2018 Wicked 15th Anniversary Special. Ariana may be a global pop sensation, but she has strong roots in musical theatre, starring as Charlotte in 13 the Musical in 2008. She's also been asking the Wicked team about a movie for over ten years!

“Since I was 20, I was like, ‘Hey, I don't know when this is happening, but when it's happening, may I please at least just audition?’" Ariana Grande tells Amazon Music's Zach Sang. "That's all I wanted, was an audition. I've never wanted anything more.”

Ariana prepped for the audition with “voice lessons every day, acting lessons every day” for six whole months. “I trained every single day to prove to [Wicked producers] that I could handle taking on this other person," she says.

Why is the Wicked movie two parts?

Universal Pictures

Wicked will be split into two parts, just like the Broadway show. That way, the stakes will feel higher, and we'll have more time with the characters! The two-part release follows in the footsteps of blockbusters like The Hunger Games and Dune. Wicked: Part I will premiere in November 2024, and the second part will follow the next year.

Why is Wicked coming out in 2024?

Universal Pictures

The Wicked movie was originally supposed to premiere in 2021 but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the film got pushed. Thankfully, the strikes during the summer of 2023 didn't delay the movie at all!

Watch The Brand New Preview For "Wicked" Here!

Universal Pictures

Hopefully the wait for the 22 will only feel like One Short Day...until then, catch us watching this preview on repeat!

Keep checking back here for more Wicked movie updates and let us know what you're most excited about on Twitter! Until we get to see the movie in theaters, check out the top Spring Movies and Summer Movies to watch in the meantime!

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This post has been updated.

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