Beyond frenemies: How Wicked is redefining female friendships in the media

At its heart, Wicked isn’t just a dazzling spectacle with show-stopping numbers and gravity-defying performances — it’s a powerful story of female friendship. While it is a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the musical’s emotional core lies in the evolving relationship between Elphaba and Glinda. What starts as an unlikely and often antagonistic connection between the two witches at Shiz University transforms into a bond like no other, one that defies expectations —  societal expectations at that.

Unlike the classic good vs. evil narrative we might expect, Wicked dives deeper, exploring themes of loyalty, empowerment, and personal growth. Glinda, the conventionally beautiful and beloved socialite, and Elphaba, the misunderstood, green-skinned outcast, could have easily fallen into the typical “mean girl” versus “misfit” trope. Instead, Wicked rewrites the script, offering a refreshing take on female friendships that moves beyond rivalry and cattiness to something far more meaningful.

From Mean Girls to Wicked: Flipping the script on female friendships

Pop culture has long thrived on stories of female friendships laced with jealousy, betrayal, and competition. Think Mean Girls with Regina’s manipulative tactics towards Cady, The Princess Diaries with Lana’s untold envy towards Mia, or even The Devil Wears Prada, where Emily’s initial sabotaging tendencies depicted her jealousy towards Andrea. In these stories, friendships between women often come with a side of subversion and drama, reinforcing the tired idea that women are naturally in competition with each other.

But Wicked challenges this outdated portrayal. Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship isn’t perfect. They bicker, they misunderstand each other, and they even literally walk away from one another at times. But their bond isn’t built on manipulation or social climbing. Instead, it’s rooted in mutual growth and respect. Glinda learns to see beyond superficiality, and Elphaba discovers the importance of trust and vulnerability. The way they challenge and support each other mirrors the complexities of real-life female friendships — full of ups and downs, but ultimately built on love and understanding. While competition can exist in female friendships, Wicked offers a more nuanced and relatable take on why these tensions arise in the first place, often rooted in systemic inequalities, from race and privilege to societal expectations and access to opportunities.

Zoe Coppinger, who plays Elphaba in Wicked, shares her take on what the musical has taught her about the significance of female friendships.

In a world where female rivalry is still a common trope, Wicked offers something revolutionary — two women who, despite their differences, choose to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down.

Sisterhood, magic dust and the messy middle

Anyone who has had a close female friend knows that the best friendships aren’t always smooth sailing. They come with misunderstandings, growing pains, and moments of doubt. One of the most beautiful things about Wicked is how it doesn’t shy away from these complexities. Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship is far from perfect, but that’s exactly what makes it so real.

Unlike male-female friendships, which often prioritise simplicity and emotional distance, female friendships tend to be more intimate, emotional, and deeply supportive. Women confide in each other, seek advice, and rely on one another in ways that go beyond just casual companionship. Wicked captures this raw, emotional depth, showing how two women can grow together, challenge each other, and still stand by each other despite their vast differences, from values to appearance.

Zoe goes on to share how much she values her friendship with Courtney Monsma, who plays Glinda.

This real-life bond between the actresses adds another layer of authenticity to their onstage performances, making Elphaba and Glinda’s friendship feel even more genuine to audiences.

Our favourite Elphaba-Glinda moments

There are so many moments in Wicked that highlight the beauty of Elphaba and Glinda’s evolving friendship, but one standout scene is during one of the songs, “Dancing Through Life.” As Zoe describes it, “It’s the first moment of trust between them and the true bond of what blooms into a beautiful friendship.”

This moment is crucial because it marks the shift from rivalry to mutual understanding as they connect on the dance floor. For the first time, we see a glimpse of what their relationship could be if they let go of societal expectations and simply embrace their connection.

Aside from the heartwarming moments, Wicked also delivers heartbreak. The emotional goodbye between Glinda and Elphaba in “For Good” is a masterpiece in storytelling, capturing the bittersweet reality that sometimes, the best friendships don’t last forever in the way we want them to. But even as they part ways, the love they share remains intact, proving that true friendships leave a lasting impact regardless of proximity and time.

Why Wicked’s take on female friendships matters

The media plays a huge role in shaping how we view relationships, and for too long, female friendships have been portrayed as fragile, toxic, or conditional. Wicked offers a much-needed counter-narrative. Instead of treating women as rivals, it shows them as allies, confidantes, and ultimately, soulmates in their own right.

In a world that often encourages competition among women, whether in schools, the workplace, or on social media, Wicked reminds us of the power of sisterhood. It teaches us that friendships can be complicated, messy, and even painful, and that is exactly how it usually is. These are the very factors that make female friendships a beautiful and essential part of life.

Catch Wicked before it flies away

Want to experience this iconic friendship live? Wicked is playing at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands until April 27, 2025. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the story, this musical is a must-watch for anyone who has ever had a life-changing friend, or simply anyone at all.

Wicked is now showing at the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands. Book your tickets here.