Michelle Yeoh Admits She'd Never Seen Wicked Musical Before Joining Movie Adaptation: 'Had No Clue'

Before Michelle Yeoh joined the cast Wickedshe was certainly no hard-nosed Ozian.

In fact, the 62-year-old Oscar winner knew very little about the musical when director John M. Chu, who previously worked with her on Crazy rich Asiansapproached her about playing a key role in his adaptation of the Broadway musical.

“At that moment I had no idea what he was talking about because I didn’t see Wicked musical before,” she said The Hollywood Reporter at the premiere on November 9 in LA

“I knew The Wizard of Ozwho doesn’t, but no Wickedbecause I haven’t been to the theater in a while and I haven’t been doing what I love, which is watching musicals, I hate to say it,” she continued.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo reveal Wicked Secrets in the Behind the Scenes special: How to watch (exclusive)

Michelle Yeoh as Madam Morrible in ‘Wicked’.

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Previous sequel The Wizard of Oz serves as the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West, when she was a misunderstood student, Elphaba Thropp, with green skin and special powers. Chu wanted Yeoh to play Elphaba’s mentor and headmistress of Shiz University, Madam Morrible. Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, while Ariana Grande plays her roommate-turned-friend, Glinda (the future Good Witch).

Yeoh said she read the script before calling Chu again to discuss it. “[I] said: ‘This is a musical and she sings.’ And he said, ‘Oh, take it easy, you’re going to have fun, you’re up for the challenge. And then the next thing I knew, I got this video call, and it was him with Ariana and Cynthia saying, ‘It’s imperative that you join us now.'”

Michelle Yeoh and ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu on April 10 in Los Angeles.

Jerod Harris/Getty

But Yeoh said the idea of ​​singing annoyed her. “I was terrified, I wasn’t just nervous.”

The Everything everywhere and at once star previously told PEOPLE that he is not a natural singer. “I like to sing. But it’s usually in the shower, not when other people are around,” she joked.

Working with a vocal coach gave her confidence. “She made it so fun, I was hitting notes I never thought I’d try,” Yeoh said.

Ariana Granda and Cynthia Erivo in ‘Wicked’.

Universal Pictures

PEOPLE Wicked The problem goes behind the scenes: Ariana Grande hid candy in her costume, Cynthia Erivo baked cookies (exclusive)

Erivo also helped calm lingering nerves. “I sing most of my parts with Cynthia. She said, ‘Just sing, girl. I can hear you sing. Just come out with it.’ So they were so comfortable for me,” said Yeoh. “It’s not like I’m going to have my own concert, but at least I had a good time, and that was nice.”

Wicked is in theaters nationwide on Friday, November 22.

Shop PEOPLE’s Wicked Special Edition here.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education