Cynthia Erivo Defies Gravity With First Two RIAA Platinum Certifications Thanks to ‘Wicked’

Elphaba’s story may be complete now that Wicked: For Good is in theaters, but Cynthia Erivo is still defying gravity.

On Tuesday (Dec. 2), the Emmy, Grammy and Tony-winning powerhouse simultaneously earned her first platinum-certified album and single from the RIAA thanks to 2024’s blockbuster Wicked soundtrack. Billed to Erivo, Ariana Grande and the Wicked movie cast, Wicked: The Soundtrack earned its platinum certification for crossing one million units in the United States. Last year, the soundtrack reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and topped Soundtrack Albums, going on to earn a nomination for best compilation soundtrack for visual media at the 2026 Grammys.

“Defying Gravity,” Erivo and Grande’s instantly iconic rendition of the musical theatre classic, also earned its platinum certification for surpassing one million units in the U.S. The duet peaked at No. 44 on the Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nod for best pop duo/group performance at next year’s ceremony. The three-time Oscar nominee also hit the Hot 100 with Wicked cuts like “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). In total, Wicked earned four nominations at the 2026 Grammys.

Erivo has yet to comment on her RIAA certifications — but she also has plenty of musical triumphs to bask in this year. In June, she released her sophomore album, I Forgive You, which reached No. 45 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and earned a 2026 Grammy nomination for best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella (“Be Okay”).

By November, she followed that up with the Wicked: For Good soundtrack, once again billed to Erivo, Grande, and the film’s cast. The sequel’s soundtrack also reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, simultaneously topping Soundtrack Albums. Three of Ervio’s For Good tracks have reached the Hot 100, including “No Good Deed” (No. 56), “As Long As You’re Mine” (No. 91), and the title track, which is now the highest-charting Hot 100 hit of her career at No. 43.