Cynthia Erivo Celebrates Her First Two RIAA Platinum Certifications from ‘Wicked’
Elphaba’s Journey Continues as Cynthia Erivo Hits Major Milestones
The theatrical arc of Elphaba, a central character from Wicked, has reached a new chapter with the release of Wicked: For Good. Yet, actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is still making headlines as her career continues to soar.
On Tuesday, December 2, Erivo achieved significant milestones, earning her first platinum-certified album and single from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). This recognition comes courtesy of the Wicked soundtrack, featuring contributions from Erivo, Ariana Grande, and the film’s ensemble. The album received platinum certification after surpassing one million units sold in the United States. It previously climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and secured the top spot on the Soundtrack Albums chart, earning a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Erivo and Grande’s rendition of "Defying Gravity," a throwback to the musical’s legacy, also received platinum certification for exceeding one million units sold in the U.S. The duet made its mark on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 44, and garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance set for next year’s ceremony. Additionally, several tracks from Wicked, including "What Is This Feeling?" (No. 62), "Dancing Through Life" (No. 86), "The Wizard and I" (No. 92), and "I’m Not That Girl" (No. 94), contributed to a total of four Grammy nominations for the production.
Although Erivo has not publicly commented on her recent RIAA certifications, she has a host of other achievements to celebrate this year. In June, she released her sophomore album, I Forgive You, which reached No. 45 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella for the track "Be Okay."
In November, Erivo released yet another soundtrack, Wicked: For Good, again featuring her alongside Grande and the film’s cast. This album similarly climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard 200, topping the Soundtrack Albums chart. Three songs from the For Good soundtrack broke into the Hot 100, including "No Good Deed" (No. 56), "As Long As You’re Mine" (No. 91), and the title track, which reached No. 43, marking her highest Billboard Hot 100 placement to date.
