We're diving deep into the world of Wicked today, folks! Let me tell you, I had a serious moment of clarity while watching it, and now I can’t stop singing “For Good” at work like it’s my personal karaoke night. We’re all grappling with our own stuff, but this episode is about how that musical reignited my passion for theater, something I never thought would happen. Plus, we’re not just gushing over the glittery spectacle; we’re also tackling the not-so-glamorous side of the press that’s been tearing apart our leading ladies, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. So grab your popcorn or whatever snack you fancy, and let’s unpack all the feels, the drama, and why we should just let people enjoy what they love without the judgment. Trust me, it’s gonna get real!

Hey everybody.

Welcome back to Buzzfish.

It has been a minute, it's been two, it has been seven, honey.

It has been a bunch of clock ticks.

But we are here, we're queer, and welcome to this new year.

So I am very excited to start this again.

My apologies for the technical difficulties that lasted like six months.

But the.

That's a lie.

Okay?

Seasonal depression took over a little early for me, but we're back at it again.

Depression not aside, but we're working through it.

Okay?

As we all are.

We're all dealing with something, but here we are, we're continuing on.

So if you're still here with me, if you're still fucking with me, I love you.

If you left ya.

Welcome back to Buzzfish.

Okay, so last time that I have made these podcast episodes, I had three different shows and I had all this and that to go, but that.

Okay, we're just gonna, just have fun with this.

All right?

It's got to, got to be a lot.

So what I am into is what I'm putting out.

That's just how it's going to be.

So you know what, just ride, ride the journey with me.

Also in this episode we're going to be talking about the one, the only Wicked.

So I am obsessed with Wicked.

I am one of those that goes around my job singing popular fucking for good.

Like I just.

Yeah, I have definitely been annoying with it and it'll be that way for the foreseeable future.

And honestly, I have a lot to unpack with Wicked enough so that I think we're gonna have a Wicked Wednesday.

Don't hold me to that because, you know, obviously I don't stick with things consistency as something I'm working on in therapy.

Okay, Jill.

But, but yeah, we're gonna see how it plays out.

I do want to make like Wicked Wednesdays.

I made these cute little thumbnails and everything for it, guys.

Like I really want to do it, but.

So let's talk about Wicked.

I have been obsessed.

I have never seen the plays, never seen anything having to do with Wicked.

That whole Land of Oz, I guess you could say for me, ended with the wizard of Oz.

I was like, okay.

My girl Dorothy, she, you know, woke up from her dream cuz it was all a dream.

And that's it.

Wicked Witch has been melted.

You know, fuck her Alphabet is A.

And like moved on with my life.

And then, you know, if you know me in real life, you know, like how much I do love Ariana Grande's music.

I am almost 30 years old and do still bump.

Imagine.

And that whole.

Just her whole.

Just discography.

Just love it so much.

And, you know, been a fan since day one.

A1.

So back when she would do those Twitter follower things, you know, like, oh, my God, like, I'll follow you on Twitter, blah, blah.

Like, that's.

We're going back.

Okay, so Benistan.

Benistan.

And she had come out with, like, that Eternal Sunshine album, which spoke to my soul.

Like, it genuinely did speak to my soul.

And then I found out, like, oh, she's in this new movie, Wicked.

And I was like, oh, my God, Good for her.

She's getting back to her.

It's called her whore.

No.

Jesus.

Her.

Her acting roots, you know, Because I didn't know, like, her whole Broadway thing, like, I didn't know that, but.

But I was like, wow, she's like, really good, you know.

Love her acting.

I think her acting is really, really good as an actor.

I wannabe after I literally do dinner theater, but call myself an actor.

Here we are.

But it's.

Yeah, I was like, that's amazing.

I'm really happy for her.

You know, as someone who loves to act, you know, that kind of thing doesn't leave you.

So, you know, even though I'm sure she loves to do the music, I was.

I was happy for her.

And then I was like, maybe I'll watch it, maybe not, you know, you know, it's a musical.

Musicals aren't my thing.

So, you know, I'm gay, but, like, I'm not that gay type of thing.

And so I just never really, really watched it.

I watched musicals or anything.

And then fast forward to it coming out.

I didn't go to the theater.

I didn't, you know, watch it or anything.

And then it had come out on Apple tv and I was with my friend, you know, we were just relaxing, chilling, and.

And then she was like, do you want to watch it?

And I was like, yeah, sure.

Like, I seen it, the trailers.

It looks pretty cool and magical, you know?

So, like, yeah, it'd probably be a good vibe for us to watch.

And she rented it, right?

And, like, it was like 20 bucks to rent.

So I was like, oh, girl, you ballerin.

Okay, love that for you.

So she puts it on, falls asleep, and then, like, I'm sitting there by myself watching it damn near.

And I'm like, oh, my God.

Fucking.

Come on, girl.

Like, really?

You fell asleep, but all right, you need to sleep.

I'm chilling.

So I'm sitting there, I'm chilling, and, oh, My God.

Oh, my eyes.

I.

When I tell you from, like, I can't.

It was.

I don't know what moment it was, but I just was like.

Like, was laying down on my phone on TikTok and then put TikTok down.

Or I put TikTok down, okay.

And sat up, and I was like, this is amazing.

And, like, the music, I think it was popular.

Popular?

No, no, no, no, no.

It was.

What is this feeling?

That moment just, like, gripped me for some reason.

I think it's like being gay and flamboyant.

Like, it just gripped me, and I was obsessed.

I wanted to know the music, the choreography.

I just.

I loved it so, so much.

And from then on, I was hooked.

And I was watching it, and then right after, and like, okay, so flash to the end of the movie.

I'm bawling, Defying gravity comes on, my friend is sleeping, and I'm just bawling my eyes out, and I'm like, oh, my God, this is so beautiful.

Like, I haven't seen a movie like this in years.

That, like, actually gripped me emotionally.

Like, I was obsessed with, like, PLL back in the day, and, you know, that gripped me.

And I haven't found anything like that forever.

So, you know, I. I've been, like, hoping to have something like a movie or TV show that I.

That I love, you know, and this really became that for me.

So, you know, and John Chu is just brilliant in his directing, and, you know, the acting was great.

There was some things.

Some acting things I really didn't like.

But aside from that, it just.

It just hit the nail on the head for me, and I loved it.

And then I literally, like, was.

Was bawling my eyes out.

I went on her couch because I was crying so hard for no reason.

Like, no reason.

You know, just, like, casually bawling my eyes out and, like, she's sleeping.

I don't even think she knows all this, but I'm just bawling my eyes out, and then I buy it.

So you had to think she just rented it.

She paid money to rent it, and then I paid another $30 to.

To buy it, because I knew that in that moment, like, this was going to be a thing for me.

Like, most people will watch a movie, like, they can rent a movie and, like, move on.

For me, as somebody who not only is an actor, but really genuinely does love movies and has to watch them multiple times in order to fully critique them or make an opinion on it, because there's so many things that directors and Stuff and editors put into movies or take out of movies that people don't notice, but I want to notice them.

So I bought it and watched it the whole time that she was sleeping and just learned the music, learned everything.

And it just became such a thing for me, and I have been hooked.

So when For Good came out, I went to the theater with her and my friend who was sleeping.

And of course, you know, I'm like, preparing, like, you know, we got the cocktails and everything.

And I'm, like, preparing the whole time.

I'm like, okay, like, you're gonna cry.

It's fine.

Like, you know, it's.

You're not with, like, people that you're not close with, so it's cool.

Like, I'm.

I'm giving myself space to cry and, you know, all that.

And, like, my acting side took over and I didn't cry.

I look over to my friend who does not care.

Loki does not care about movies as much.

Not care about these characters, really.

Like, she's normal in that aspect.

I look over, she's crying.

I'm like, come on, are you serious?

But it was that.

That emotional of a movie.

It was so good, so gripping.

It got such bad critiques, such bad reviews that I was really, really scared to go see it because I didn't want anything to be soured for me or, like, me to have a bad taste in my mouth.

But I had to go see it because I had downloaded the album or the soundtrack and didn't listen to any of the music until I went and watched the movie because I just didn't want anything to be spoiled.

And I accidentally.

Not accidentally.

Okay, fine, Okay.

I purposely listened to For Good because I was like, well, it's a title track.

So I played it and it was like, now it's up to you.

And I was like, oh.

Oh, no.

Step, play or pause, Pause.

And I paused it because I was like, oh, God, it's spoiled.

So I went into it knowing that something was going to happen that made it up to fucking Glinda.

I was like, damn it.

And, yeah, just the whole ending.

I've seen it.

You know, if.

You know.

You know, if you don't go fucking see it, buy it, support it.

You know what I mean?

Because some of us.

How do I say this?

I usually am a pirate for certain situations.

In this situation, I was not and actually supported it.

So, yeah, it's that good.

Definitely.

Go buy it.

Do not pirate it.

It's worth the money.

So, yeah.

Oh, my gosh.

I just Was like, this is amazing.

And, you know, to people that, like.

Because I'm sure, like, there's people in my life that are like, dude, really?

Like, you're this, like, obsessed with it.

Like, why?

They just don't get it.

Like, especially if you're a theater person.

I never was like, everybody.

I feel like every theater person that I've talked to has that show that ignited their love of theater and musical theater.

This did that for me.

I have never given theater a chance.

I've never given musicals a chance.

The New Mean Girls I hated because it was a musical.

Like, it was never, like a thought in my head.

Like, I just thought it was stupid.

Like, God, my cat.

Really with the litter box.

Astro, seriously, I'm recording.

Astro, do you not care about my podcast?

No, but I. Yeah, it was like, it ignited that for me, that, like, love of, like, wow.

You can have a character sing what's on their mind.

Technically, it's not dialogue.

Technically, you can make it not canon.

Yeah.

You agree?

Thank you for that, Astro.

I love you.

My categories.

But you can have a character sing their thoughts, sing their feelings, and not have it part of the dialogue so that technically it's not.

It doesn't count.

But the audience gets to know how they're feeling.

You can give.

Convey so much in musicals that you can't in regular movies.

It's just.

It's mind blowing that opens so many avenues for me as someone who, you know, wants to be an actor but has a director mindset, you know, and brain to where, like, I'm not just looking at the acting, it's.

I'm looking at everything.

So I don't know, it just.

It opens so much for me, which is great, but also very annoying.

And I'm sure my next therapy session is going to be very long, probably going to go over my time.

But that's okay.

I don't pay for it, so love that.

Thank you, insurance.

But, yeah, let's, you know, let's put a.

Put a fucking break on, you know, the sentimental, mushy bullshit of how much I love it.

And let's talk about all of the negative press that Ariana and Cynthia have been dealing with, because not only as an actor, but as a human being, it is disgusting to see how many people are ripping these two women apart.

It's just.

It's gross.

So let's get into it.

All right.

So getting into it, I don't understand why people feel the need to, first of all be so hurtful and harsh towards humans in General that's coming from someone who, you know, can be sassy, is low key, a dick sometimes.

But when it comes to people doing their work, you know, just doing their craft, doing something that they love, and, you know, being a part of something that we're not, you know, we don't understand what we went into it.

And it's especially coming from people who have never acted, who don't know what acting truly is, who don't know how much goes into it.

They just have the most to say.

And it's.

It's really annoying because, you know, as someone just who kind of looks at things in different perspectives, think about, you know, putting so much of yourself into something, but then also having to strip yourself away.

Because what acting is for people who do not know.

And I'm gonna come off a little bitchy and a little sassy, but here we are, bitch.

Okay, It's Buzz Bish.

Okay, we sassy, but we still classy at the end of the day.

Hey, brands, don't you want to work with me?

Yes, I know.

Yes, I'm very marketable.

So my whole thing is we don't know how much they had, you know, prep they had to do in order to bring these characters to life.

Especially they're already being plays and things of that nature.

They have to be their own versions of it.

You know, that's difficult.

You know, as someone who likes didn't.

I didn't go to fucking like school for acting.

I didn't get acting classes.

I was fucking poor.

I didn't fucking grow up with.

Here's money, the extra money, we can fucking take you to acting classes.

Like, no, that wasn't a thing for me.

Okay.

So like my way of training was re enacting and watching movies and acting those out.

You know what I'm saying?

So just knowing how I've had to strip away my kind of matching people's tones and matching the way people acted in roles, I can imagine there already being a set character.

There's set characters for Glinda and Elphaba in the plays, so they're having to make it.

I sound like an angry ass fucking Stan right now.

I sound like the craziest fanboy ever.

Trust me.

Definitely fanboy crazy, but not, you know, for this situation.

Low key.

I could care less.

I have bigger things to worry about.

But hey, this is a motherfucking podcast, you know, that's what we're here to fucking talk about.

So I just.

It just grinds me gears.

No, it just pisses me off because it's like, y' all got the most motherfucking to say.

But, like, could you do that?

Could you strip away your own ego and your own opinions and who you are to bring a character to life that.

That.

That much and to make a hateable character so likable, like, it's just crazy.

And, like, all this talk about their weight and, like.

Like, just everything.

I mean, down to, like, Cynthia's nails and her fingers, it's just crazy.

First of all, I got three fingers, okay?

I lost seven of them to frostbite, bitch.

So I don't want to hear shit about how long someone's fingers are because at least they got them, okay?

Y' all know what I'm saying?

At least they motherfucking got em.

So before you run your mouth, okay, look down at your own fingers and be grateful that you got them motherfuckers.

That's number one.

Okay?

Number two, it's just crazy to me that, like, that's what people talk about.

Like, even, like, oh, my God, even, like, family members of mine.

Like, oh, my God, no.

Do you see how, like, skinny she is?

Like, yeah, I do.

And.

Yes.

And.

And what?

Like, you mad because you gotta go to the gym, but yet you're still chubby.

Like, what is your deal?

You know what I'm saying?

Like, that has nothing to do with it.

And it's like, oh, my God.

It's just.

I. I just hate the fact that people, like, have the most negative things to say, but yet when it comes to, like, talking about, like, oh, well, like, let's focus on, like, the acting.

Let's focus on, like, how the story is.

Like, they don't want to hear that.

They don't want to talk about that.

They just want to talk about, like, oh, my God, Ari is so skinny now.

Like, she.

She looks like a crackhead.

Like, okay, at least she got the money to do crack.

Like, what are you talking about?

You know what I mean?

Like, that's crazy.

Like, it's just.

Oh, my God, it blows my mind.

Like, the fact people can be so negative to something that's literally so positive and if they would watch it, you know what I mean?

And, like, pay attention to the story.

Like my sister, for instance, She's a fucking bitch.

Like, for love her, but she's a fucking bitch.

And all she should probably listen to this.

You're a bitch.

Sorry.

But, like, all she says is negative ass fucking shit about it.

And it's like, oh, my God, it's so evil.

It's so wicked.

They're like, fuck you, first of all.

Second of all, you've never watched it.

How do you know what it it's about?

You've never seen it.

It's crazy.

It's like saying, like, I've never read the Bible, right?

And my sister is such a Bible thumper.

It's like me saying, like, the Bible is so evil, but never reading it.

Like, you know what I mean?

Like, it's weird.

It's just like a weird take.

It's like, weird flex, but okay, because how are you talking about something without actually consuming it, without actually giving it a shot?

You cannot talk about it.

It's like me talking about fucking abortion or fucking anything that has to do with having a uterus.

It's like, who gives two fucking shits about your opinion?

You're a fucking man who gives a shit.

You shouldn't have an opinion about a fucking uterus.

You know what I'm saying?

That's fucking asinine.

So.

Yes, anyways, I just had to get that out because that is crazy.

It's crazier than crazy.

I just.

I don't agree with, you know, them having to lose weight for the part.

I feel like, you know, yes, she looks skinny.

Okay, Is that my job, to critique that or to focus on that or to have an opinion on that?

No, it's not, you know, like, factually and objectively, yes, she's lost weight.

Who gives two fucking shits?

That is nobody's opinion.

It's nobody's place to fucking.

Well, yeah, you can have an opinion, right?

Everybody has an opinion, but nobody wants your opinion.

Nobody asked you for it.

You know what I mean?

That's like me saying, what's your opinion on my nubs?

In my loss of fingers?

I didn't fucking ask you.

It's like.

Like, I love when people say, like, oh, my God, you're so strong for when.

For what you've gone through.

But, like, I didn't fucking ask you to critique my strength.

You know what I mean?

I know I'm fucking strong, okay?

Like, I didn't ask for your opinion.

So it's just like, sometimes people just need to shut the fuck up and focus on they damn selves, all right?

Because it's stupid.

Like, for real.

Like, focus on your damn selves.

You know, if you're mad that she's so skinny, go to the gym, take Ozempic.

If you can't Afford Ozempic.

Get some more money.

Okay.

You know, I don't have the money for Ozempic, but I go to the.

I'm going to the gym, you know, because you.

Okay.

I can barely do a podcast, but I still eat my cookies.

Yes, I do.

I solely.

Chocolate frosting out the damn can.

Yes, I do.

Because I choose to be fat and damn happy.

But when other people are damn skinny, I mind my fucking business.

Say it with me now.

Mind yo damn business.

Thank you.

All right, moving on to the next topic, let's see what we got.

I didn't write anything down.

I'm so prepared.

I love it.

But, yeah, I just really, really wanted to talk about the.

The negative PR that they're getting.

Or not pr, but, like, the negative press that they're getting for that.

Like, that is so crazy.

And Cynthia's now, first of all, they're both gorgeous.

They're both fucking gorgeous.

Not that my opinion matters, like we have talked about, but they're gorgeous.

Okay, like, what the fuck is the issue?

It's so funny to me that, like, and, like, as a man, I can say this, especially as a gay man, I can say this.

Men are not nearly as critiqued for their looks as women.

And it's so weird.

Like, it's so weird to me.

Oh, my God.

Like, you had the ugliest motherfucking dudes, and y' all know who I am talking about.

You go have the ugliest fucking dudes up in Hollywood that are praised so much, but yet they're fucking ugly.

They're not, like, critiqued in that sort of way.

They're fat and their name is, like, about their roles.

Like, okay, like, it's so weird.

It's so funny.

The fucking.

Oh, we're not going to make it about this.

But, like, the whole, like, inequalities of men versus women in general is crazy, but the inequalities in Hollywood is insane.

Oh, my God.

They're lucky I ain't there.

They lucky.

They lucky I. I ain't in Hollywood.

They lucky I'm sipping my Pepsi, but I'm sipping my tea on that one because they lucky.

They lucky I was lazy and didn't do about the talent because I would have been like, now I know damn well she getting paid as much as me.

Okay?

Like, ain't no damn way.

That's crazy.

But, yes, that is just the craziness I. I had to talk about and had to put an episode out for it because let's just not critique women as harshly Anymore.

Okay, let's give grace and hold space for the fact that we're fucking humans and nobody's perfect.

And it's so easy to sit behind a screen and to type some shit or sit for me, sit behind a microphone and talk my shit, because, yes, I will, but I'll pull up and show you some shit.

Nah, I got three fingers.

What am I finna do?

But, you know, just keep your mouth shut.

That's it.

You know, let them do their craft.

Let the people that like it, like it.

And that's another thing is that, like, if you are the type of person that sits there and like, puts someone down, makes fun of them, or makes them feel stupid for liking something or like, you know, enjoying something that you personally don't, you are the worst kind of fucking human being.

And I don't envy you.

You know, I kind of pity you a little bit because imagine not only being so miserable that you can't find anything that brings you joy, but hating on some.

Someone for finding things that bring them joy.

Okay, we're stopping with the negativity because I just had to pop off real quick, but we're popping back in.

Snap in, lock in.

Because, yeah, fuck.

Fuck that shit.

If you're that type of person, fuck you.

Get off my podcast, period.

So, yeah, I think that's gonna do it for this episode.

I just wanted to get back out there with the Buzz Bish podcast, and I thought, what better way than to talk about the truth about Wicked?

My truth is that I said fuck musicals before actually watching one.

And the truth of the fact is, instead of judging something before actually looking into it, fucking look into it.

And then you'll see things through different eyes.

Different eyes.

No, that was.

That's not.

That was not a reflection of my seeing.

I just want that clear.

I just want that out there.

But no, guys, let's try not to be judgmental towards people, places and things.

That's a daily struggle for me because really, I work in customer service and can you believe that?

Right?

Isn't that crazy?

Best believe I want to be popping off on some people.

Some people be pissing me off.

But you can't do that.

Okay?

You really should not be popping off on the streets.

Go home and record a podcast and cause people out.

That's in the podcast.

That's what you do.

That's.

Honestly, when's my next therapy appointment?

No, but.

All right, guys, I'm going to go.

I hope you guys enjoyed.

I'll try to figure out something to do in terms of scheduling and what we're going to do here, I definitely want to talk more about Wicked.

Like I said, I do want to talk about, or I do want to do, like, a Wicked Wednesday thing.

I think that'd be really cute, you know, to have something consistent like that.

And I don't know, I'm a part of these cute fucking groups on Facebook and everybody's so fucking nice and fucking, like, supportive.

It's so great.

I love it.

Oh, my God, the Wicked community is amazing.

Everybody else can fucking eat my ass.

But no, I'm just kidding.

Thank you so much for watching.

I appreciate it.

Fucking follow and like and share with your grandmother, if she's still here.

She's not.

Same.

But yeah, I'm gonna go.

I think I need sleep.

What time is it?

11 o'.

Clock.

Oh, it is way past my bedtime, babes.

All right, guys.

I hope you have been changed for good after watching this.

I'm sure you haven't.

I'm sure you know, this probably gave you a headache.

Go pop some ibuprofen and call it a day.

All right, Love you, Bishes.

Talk to you later.

Bye.