Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Earn RIAA Platinum for "Defying Gravity"

The duet version of "Defying Gravity," performed by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for the Wicked film soundtrack, has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The certification, dated December 2, 2025, recognizes 1,000,000 certified units in the United States. The single was released on November 22, 2024, via Universal Studios, Republic Records, and Verve Label Group as part of the album Wicked: The Soundtrack.

"Defying Gravity" is the climactic Act I finale of the musical Wicked. In the narrative of the film, the song captures the pivotal moment when Elphaba, portrayed by Erivo, vows to use her magical powers to fight the Wizard of Oz after discovering his corruption. Rejecting an offer to work within the system, which Glinda (Grande) accepts, Elphaba escapes on her broomstick in a powerful display of rebellion and self-acceptance. The track is a cornerstone of the soundtrack for the first part of the film adaptation, which was directed by Jon M. Chu and released on November 22, 2024.

Cynthia Erivo is a critically acclaimed British actress and singer who has achieved widespread recognition for her work on stage and screen. She is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award winner, and has also received nominations for two Academy Awards, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Erivo first rose to prominence for her starring role as Celie in the Broadway revival of The Color Purple. As a recording artist, she has garnered a significant following, with over 11.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify, where "Defying Gravity" is her most-streamed song. The track's success is further reflected by its approximately 353,319 pageviews on Genius.