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.
@JamesTate121/X
