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  • Love’s Best of Chicago 2025

    A breakdown of the most fun things and memorable experiences I had this year in the city.

    Photo by Chait Goli on Pexels.com

    It should be no surprise that Chicago is the best city in the United States (this isn’t just according to me, but Condé Nast). I grew up in the suburbs but have moved to the city as an adult, and there’s always so much to do, so much to see! Regardless of the season, Chicago always has lots to enjoy, from its architecture to its tasty food scene, historic museums, lively festivals, and more attractions for tourists and locals alike.

    Chicago has many neighborhoods, each with their own unique vibe and set of attractions. There’s much to explore in this great city, and I could not possibly name all the good stuff there is, or even all that I’ve experienced in the last 365 days. But I can give you a list of some of my favorite things in the city, starting with art:

    Museum & Art Exhibits

    Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now 

    Nov. 8, 2024 – Feb. 15, 2025

    Organized by the Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art in New York on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Reimagine: Himalayan Art Now presents 28 contemporary artists from the Himalayas, Asia, and diaspora whose work is presented in dialogue with objects from the Rubin Museum’s permanent collection, inviting new ways of encountering traditional Himalayan art.

    — Wrightwood 659

    This exhibit has left, but you can still see its archive page here.

    Prithvi Shrestha; Attachment; 2018; acrylic on canvas; courtesy of the artist; Photo by Dave De Armas

    Firelei Báez

    Nov. 15, 2025 – May 31, 2026

    “My works are speculative propositions, meant to create alternate pasts and potential futures, questioning history and culture in order to provide a space for reassessing the present.”

    — FIRELEI BÁEZ

    Learn more about this exhibit, also at the Museum of Contemporary Art, here.

    Firelei Báez, Man Without a Country (aka anthropophagist wading in the Artibonite River) (detail), 2014–15. Gouache, ink, and chine-collé on 225 deaccessioned book pages; 106 1/4 × 252 in. (270 × 640 cm). Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston; Gift of Fotene Demoulas and Tom Coté. Image courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York. © Firelei Báez. Photo: Oriol Tarridas.

    Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind

    Oct. 18, 2025 – Feb. 22, 2026

    Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind presents one of the most comprehensive exhibitions to date of Yoko Ono, the trailblazing artist, celebrated musician, and formidable campaigner for world peace. This remarkable retrospective celebrates key moments of Ono’s career, showcasing art driven by ideas and expressed in poetic, humorous, and profound ways.

    — Museum of Contemporary Art

    Learn more about this exhibit here.

    Yoko Ono, PEACE is POWER, 2017. Installation view, Yoko Ono: The Learning Garden of Freedom, Fundação de Serralves – Museu de Arte Contemporânea, Porto, Portugal, 2020. © Yoko Ono. Photo: Filipe Braga.

    Africa Fashion

    Feb. 28, 2025 – June 29, 2025

    Africa Fashion explores the global impact of Africa’s dynamic fashion scene, featuring a variety of works from across the continent. Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this exhibition features immersive displays of haute couture and ready-to-wear apparel with more than 180 works representing artists from over 20 African countries. 

    The Field Museum collaborated with two local creatives featured in Connecting Threads, Melody Boykin, creator of Black Fashion Week | USA, and Jennifer Akese-Burney, a Ghana-born designer in Illinois. Their contributions to the exhibition include newly created pieces inspired by items in the Field Museum’s collections and works by local designers.

    — Field Museum

    Though Africa Fashion was only for limited time, Connecting Threads will be open through March 2026. Learn more here.

    Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times

    Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing – The Exhibition

    May 22, 2025 – February 8, 2026

    Through this comprehensive exhibition, superfans can dive deep into the evolution of Spider-Man from his first comic book appearance to the latest TV, movie and video games. Starting from Spider-Man’s introduction in Amazing Fantasy #15, guests will experience the evolution of this hero. Explore drawing styles and techniques, story creation, and the incredible cast of well-known supporting characters. Whether a comic fan or a movie-lover there is something to explore around every corner, plus, kids of all ages can learn to draw Spider-Man and get hands-on with other activities.

    – Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

    Learn more here.

    Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

    Best Meals

    Sit down at the restaurant

    LÝRA 

    This Greek restaurant in Fulton Market has delicious pasta, dips and more. Winner of Open Table’s “Diner’s Choice 2025”, the menu incorporates renditions of authentic Greek favorites with locally sourced ingredients. 

    • Interior. LÝRA.
    • Dips. LÝRA.

    Dawn A.M. Eatery

    Located in Hyde Park, this restaurant prides itself on “freshness in every bite”, with meals made from scratch. It successfully exudes Southern excellence, and has amazing brunch. In particular, I loved the fried green tomatoes and peach waffles.

    • Interior. Dawn A.M. Eatery
    • Southern inspired dish. Dawn A.M. Eatery.
    • Fried green tomatoes. Sonjanita Moore

    Rose Mary 

    Located in Fulton Market, Rose Mary is inspired by Chef/Owner Joe Flamm’s Italian heritage and Croatian cuisine. Named after the herb and Flamm’s grandmothers, Rose Mary is the winner of several awards including, “Top 100 Restaurants in America” by OpenTable” in 2023 and 2024 and “The 25 Best New Restaurants in Chicago” by the Chicago Tribune. I tried it for the first time during Restaurant Week and was changed for the better. Some of the best wine (Moscato D’asit) and dessert (toffee cake with pistacio ice cream) ever!

    • Interior. Rose Mary
    • Dishes. Rose Mary
    • Dessert. Rose Mary
    • Moscato D’asti. Taken by me

    RPM Steak 

    RPM Steak is part the RPM group of restaurants from Bill and Giuliana Rancic and siblings R.J., Jerrod and Molly Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. The brand focuses on sourcing the highest quality ingredients and providing exceptional service. Located in River North, I also tried during Restaurant Week and had the best wagyu steak ever.

    • Interior. RPM Steak
    • Dish. RPM Steak.

    Nonnina 

    Also in River North, this Italian restaurant has dishes made from scratch and “made with love… Just like Nonna would.” A part of The Good Plate Hospitality Group, I’ve always had a good experience here. In fact, I have it so good I can get a dish that’s no longer on the menu.

    • Exterior. Nonnina
    • Chicken Parmigiana. Nonnina
    • Dish. Nonnina

    Carry Out

    • Dog Haus – With critical acclaim for its signature all beef Haus Dogs and handcrafted proprietary Haus Sausages, Dog Haus serves meat that is humanely raised, hormone- and antibiotic-free. It’s the best burger I’ve had by far, and served on King’s Hawaiian rolls. Though it originated in Pasadena, there’s a few locations around Chicago.
    • Ramen San – This neighborhood noodle joint is good for dine-in or carry out, with hot broth, ice-cold beer and ’90s hip-hop. The kimchi ramen is the best I’ve had. There’s several locations across the city.
    • Nancy’s Pizza – Nancy’s has my favorite thin crust pizza. The leftovers taste just as good the next day. Home of the original stuffed pizza, Nancy’s was “essential to Chicago’s Golden Age of Pizza in the late 1960s and early 1970s”.
    • QuesaBirria Jalisco Tacos– Located in Pilsen, this is the home of the original quesabirria tacos in the city and considered the best of the best. It’s worth the line.
    • Chengdu Bistro – Whether dining in or out, Chengdu Bistro serves authentic Sichuan dishes, handmade noodles, and soup dumplings. There are a few locations including the Loop and Wicker Park.

    Hot dogs. Dog Haus (top left). Little Mule burger from Dog Haus. Yelp (middle left). Kimchi ramen. Ramen San (top right). QuesaBirria. Trip Advisor (bottom left). Nancy’s Pizza (bottom middle). Chengdu Bistro (bottom right).

    Fave Performances/Concerts

    • Doechii at Lollapalooza – Doechii is great performer. She went to the school of Beyoncé for sure, as she can dance, sing and rap without missing a beat.
    • Sabrina at Lollapalooza – Big Brina is slowly becoming one of my favorite pop girls. I really love that she brought out Earth, Wind and Fire during her set.
    • Beyoncé at Soldier Field – Needless to say will always gag me into oblivion. I go through withdrawals after seeing her. I wish I could see the Cowboy Carter tour again. She is an incredible performer, and an amazing artist to watch.
    • Destin Conrad at the House of Blues – Like one of his song titles, Destin literally had the place “Jumpin’”! He’s a very talented, very important R&B artist.
    • Monaleo at the Vic Theater – Monaleo also had the house jumpin’, and gave us rap and vocals. I am happy her career is reaching new heights.
    • Doechii at Lollapalooza. Sacha Lecca for Rolling Stone
    • Sabrina Carpenter Closing Night at Lollapalooza. Alfredo Flores for Rolling Stone
    • Monaleo at the Vic Theater. SPKRBX presents YouTube Channel
    • Destin Conrad at the House of Blues. Kamil Surma Photography
    • Beyoncé at Soldier Field. Parkwood Entertainment

    Film Festivals

    • Chi Film Festival – As a certified cinephile, I was happy to see several films at this festival, most of which were international. Some of these films will be included in my best films of the year post (stay tuned). During this festival, I got to visit the Criterion Closet, watch animated shorts and attend screenings with directors present (one example being Nia DaCosta for Hedda).
    • Black Harvest Film Festival – At this festival, I got to see short films from artists across the diaspora. There was also a special screening of Ossie Davis’s Black Girl, based on the play by J.e Franklin.
    • Robert Townsend’s Film Festival Pop Up Weekend – As if the above weren’t enough of a treat, this year Robert Townsend also decided to visit his hometown and share some expertise with aspiring filmmakers. There was also screenings for some of his most iconic films, and a comedy show.

    All the above photos were taken by me at Chicago International Film Festival, The Black Harvest Film Festival, and Robert Townsend’s Film Festival Pop Up.

    Special Mentions

    • The Tiny Tapp – Located on the Riverwalk, this cafe and bar is always a vibe on a nice weather day. The Henry Holiday is a must have (if you can handle your liquor).
    • Angel Reese – I am a fan! I am happy I got to see her play with the Chicago Sky, though I’m not sure what will happen next season.
    • AIRE Ancient Baths Spa – Located in a restored factory from 1902 in River West, this spa offers relaxation like no other through the traditional Roman, Greek and Ottoman ancient experience of baths.
    • Printers Row Lit Fest – Located on historic Printers Row (which was once the bookmaking hub of Chicago), this festival is the largest free outdoor literary showcase in the Midwest. It celebrates the love of books and is presented by the not-for-profit Near South Planning Board.
    • Scarlet – Located in Boystown, the vibes in this gay bar are impeccable. I feel honored to be allowed as an ally and love partying in this safe space.
    • The Understudy – Located in Andersonville, theatre bookstore doubles as a coffee shop for people looking to get lost in a good book, enjoy a passionate conversation, or cozy up with a delicious cup of coffee.
    • Love Island Watch Parties – This was one of those experiences where you just had to be there… I’m not even sure I will care about Love Island again next summer, but I was locked in for #Nicolandria. Watching reality TV in a nice restaurant with my girls was a highlight of my summer.
    • Puppy Sphere. This year, I tried puppy yoga for the first time. Puppy Sphere offers classes in West Town and soon in Lakeview. There was lots of puppies to go around, though they would use the bathroom freely (it would be cleaned up immediately). The breeds are announced three days before the scheduled class.

    Photos of Cavapoos taken by me.

    To try in 2026:

    • Chicago Latin Film Festival – Produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, this festival screens close to 100 films from all over Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, Portugal and the United States. 
    • More dining. I love to treat myself to a nice restaurant, or be treated. There’s many on my list, but for now I’ll just share a couple:
      • Alla Vita – Serving a casual, family-style menu, Alla Vita is a place to gather and enjoy comfortable Italian cuisine. Alla Vita means “to life” in Italian which recognizes overcoming life’s challenges and creating a space for shared meals and memorable experiences. Executive Chef Lee Wolen shares his passion for fresh, delicious Italian food made simply with the best ingredients.
      • Casa Tulum – Casa Tulum brings the warmth and flavors of Mexico to Chicago’s South Loop. With every dish, we invite you to experience the vibrant traditions and culinary heritage of our Tulum home.
      • Dining with my dog – When it gets warm, I want to take my dog to a nice brunch. Thankfully, many restaurants in Chicago have puppy menus, including Nonnina. More dog-friendly dining options can be found on this list curated by Choose Chicago.
    • The Jury Experience – With this immersive live theater show, you get to step into the heart of a high-stakes trial. Here you will face complex cases, examine the evidence, and cast votes throughout the experience. Each decision you make affects the outcome.
    • Attend a sports game – I’m not really a sports girl, but I do think there’s something special about experiencing team camaraderie live. I’ve never been to a hockey or soccer game in the city yet, but I’d like to. And now that the Bears are making some noise, maybe a football game is warranted too.
    • More art. In particular, I want to go to Mehal House in Humboldt Park. This studio was founded by a husband-wife duo from different ethnic backgrounds, and offers Sufi, Sketch & Sip classes.

    Dining at Alia Vita (top left). Interior, Casa Tulum (bottom left). Chicago Latino Film Festival. Film Freeway (left middle). Dog dining. Taureaux Tavern (top right). The Mehal House studio, decked out in Eliza Karazah and Balpreet Singh’s artwork. Provided to Block Club Chicago (top middle). Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos and team celebrating win against Minnesota Vikings, Nov. 16, 2025. AP Photo, Matt Krohn (bottom middle). The Jury Experience (bottom right).

    That’s it for now! Looking for to exploring more in 2026.

  • Bel-Air: It’s hard to say goodbye…

    The record-breaking Peacock original has come to an end after four seasons.

    Peacock

    Though I’ve waited over a year for this show to come back on, when it finally premiered in late November 2025, I didn’t want to watch it. After four seasons, one of my favorite shows was coming to an end.

    It’s hard to say goodbye to a beloved show, and thus, I had to brace myself. So many shows lose momentum over time, so many fail to end on a high note. Thankfully, Bel-Air gave us good television until the very end, and kept it’s essence along the way.

    Granted, I am a firm believer that not everything needs a reboot or reimagining. In fact, many reboots feel tired and like a money grab. But this was a great, refreshing take on a classic.

    What started as fan-made trailer became the only original Peacock show to make it to four seasons. The show cleverly honors the old while establishing new takes on the beloved characters and their journeys. There’s more drama, higher stakes, and more specific cultural references.

    As far as casting, I’m always a proponent for new talent, especially for roles where big shoes need filling. Jabari Banks, who plays Will, shares some essential similarities with Will Smith. He moved from Philly to LA to play this iconic role.

    Essence

    The Banks family is also full of fresh faces, highlighting a talented ensemble of a beautiful, fashionable, mostly dark-skinned family. The Banks family dealt with it all – addiction, racism, money-laundering, law enforcement, relationship strains, college admission, sibling rivalries and more, all while staying stylish and keeping it classy.

    For four seasons we got good music, and transformative themes. Having a wholesome Black-led show on my screen meant the world to me. Though there were times the drama got heated, the show always circled back to what it meant to be a family, and what it meant to have integrity.

    As Adrian Holmes (Uncle Phil) told the Hollywood Reporter, “We’re not defined by our struggle. We’re not defined by our trauma. We’re showing the joy, the ambition, the resilience. We’re showing the other side of the coin of who we are as a culture.”

    Peacock

    My only real critique with this season is the Geoffrey/Uncle Phil storyline. Geoffrey (Jimmy Akingbola) and his UK gang was stressing me out! They were trying to ruin him and Uncle Phil and it was getting too messy for my liking. Geoffrey being a lowkey gangster was cute at first but started taking up too much of the major plot by the end.

    However, it’s nice that Adrian Holmes got to work with his real-life wife Caroline Chikezie, who you may know as Noma from Power Book II: Ghost. Overall, I’m glad they cleaned it up, keeping Phil as an honest man and keeping Geoffrey a part of the Banks family and out of trouble. They even reunited him with his lover Penelope and gave him a renewed sense of self and purpose.

    All the storylines felt closed with intention, and every character experienced some sort of catharsis. Though Ashley (Akira Akbar)’s character arc also took some time to find its footing, she came around to finding herself and exercising her voice in an impactful way. Her letter to baby Nicky was touching, and a tear-jerker.

    We watched Jazz (Jordan L. Jones) and Hilary (Coco Jones) fall in and out of love, and eventually become business partners and business neighbors, each prospering as young entrepreneurs and getting over their issues.

    Peacock

    Carlton (Ozzy Sholotan) had the best character arc, and his brotherhood with Will was really beautiful to watch unfold. His character really came into his own, and overcame so much. We watched Will mature over his time in Bel-Air, and become a new person. His graduation speech, which panned to the characters that inspired him as he mentioned their attributes, was perfect. The placement of Will at UPenn and Carlton at Morehouse a good plot twist.

    Though Lisa (Simone Joy Jones) and Will are taking a break, they may still reconnect in college as they won’t be that far away (UPenn and Howard is a 90 minute commute by train). Thankfully, Amira (Alycia Pascual-Pena) and Carlton didn’t get married but they will both be together in Atlanta for school.

    It was also nice to see Vy (April Parker Jones) putting herself first – a gentle reminder that more Black women should do the same – as she was glowing, dating, and dancing into her new timeline. Lou (Marlon Wayans) got a job back in Philly, and will be close to his son.

    Though everything didn’t go according to plan, Aunt Viv (Cassandra Freeman) safely gave birth to baby Nicky, with the help of a comforting doula (played by OG Aunt Viv Janet Hubert). Thus, Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil get to start anew with baby Nicky, get Ashley in a creative school, and give back to Black families that were affected by the Altadena fires as they decided to move out of their Bel-Air home. This time, Uncle Phil is the last one in the empty house.

    Peacock

    Overall, there were many beautiful moments throughout the series. There were several moments that gave nods to the original cast and iconic moments, including scenes featuring:

    • both aunt Vivs (Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid)
    • Carlton’s dance – the briefest moment at the Blackcess party
    • The “Jump On It” dance
    • OG Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell)
    • OG Ashley (Tatyana Ali)
    • OG Vy (Vernee Johnson)
    • a painting of OG Uncle Phil (RIP James Avery)
    • Tyra Banks as Aunt Viv’s sorority sister
    • the fight between Will and Lou (one of the best on-screen fights I’ve ever seen; but leads to eventual reconciliation)
    • Will Smith as future Will
    Peacock

    Janet Hubert’s guest role meant a lot to me, as she deserves her flowers. It was such a good full-circle moment to bring her back to help Aunt Viv give birth. That episode was very spiritual and a good reminder to release the negativity holding you back.

    Seeing Will Smith come back was also very incredibly meaningful. Apparently, it wasn’t confirmed if Smith would be available to shoot this final scene, so they planned two different endings just in case. Thankfully, they made it happen.

    Ever since I saw My Old Ass, I’ve found that talking things out with your future self can be more comforting than anything else. For me, it’s confirmation that everything will be alright, which is exactly what that scene between Wills embodied.

    Peacock

    From the series finale, I was reminded that transitions can be scary but good. Beautiful, even. I took note of some lines (paraphrased) that serve as affirmations (and that may have made me shed a tear):

    • Growth happens when we’re uncomfortable. And when we love people enough to love us through it. 
    • Our crown is waiting for us. 
    • Sometimes it’s about letting go of who you thought you had to be to become who you’re supposed to be.
    • I’m not worried about losing who I was, but who I’ve become.
    • Your crown looks good on you, nephew.
    • Are you nervous about the future? No.. it’s just waiting for us to light it the fuck up!

    While many feel like they could’ve stretched a couple more seasons, I understand a lot goes behind the scenes of making a show, esp. in post-strike and post-COVID Hollywood. Plus, it’s hard to transition to college-aged characters while different cast mates have other career pursuits. The Bel-Air cast is extremely talented, with Jabari Banks having recently released his debut EP, Ultra, and Coco Jones fresh off tour for her debut album Why Not More?.

    With all these factors in mind, season 4 did feel a bit rushed, but it did not compromise the show’s substance. It still made me feel warm and safe, and I will miss my family! As Cassandra Freeman once described the show, Bel-Air is heart medicine. I’m not sure who my next supplier will be, but grateful for the time we had this medicine prescribed.

    I applaud the cast, crew, writers, showrunner, creator Morgan Cooper (director of the fan-made trailer) and Will Smith for making it all happen, and doing it well.

    The legacy of both The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the reimagined Bel-Air will be considered classics and positive representation for ages to come.

    Peacock

  • Was Wicked: For Good, Good?

    Is it a bop or flop?

    Universal Pictures

    After a year of waiting for the highly-anticipated Wicked: For Good, I was left feeling entertained, yet a bit unsatisfied.

    While I still enjoyed the film overall, I found a lot of problems with it, most of which can be attributed back to the source material. The latter half of Wicked on Broadway has never compared to the former, from the catchiness of the songs to the holes in plot (regarding continuity with The Wizard of Oz). I appreciate that a few liberties were taken in the film to try to add depth to the second part, such as new original songs “No Place Like Home, and “The Girl in the Bubble”, and even a few extended scenes.

    Still, the pacing felt off and less balanced than before. Certain scenes felt rushed or underdeveloped, unable to mix the comedic elements with the increasingly high stakes. In particular, the series of events after Elphaba and Fiyero became intimate didn’t feel as impactful. Elphaba couldn’t even enjoy her man before getting a vision that her Nessarose was in trouble. Then, she didn’t get to grieve her sister before getting into a bitch slapping contest with Glinda.

    On top of that, Fiyero is all of sudden on the scene and risking his life to save Elphaba’s… the same Elphaba who used to have Ozzians laid out by accident now can’t do it on purpose when it mattered most.

    Universal Pictures

    While the aesthetics of this world are beautiful, there were times it was hard to appreciate them due to so many shots being backlit. Further, one of the most important characters of the film was miscast. I love Michelle Yeoh, Lord knows I do… but I fear she was not the best fit for Madame Morrible.

    I have mixed feelings about Jon Chu as the director. I love him as well, and while I don’t think every choice he made was perfect, I am grateful that he, like some of the cast, was open to the sapphic “Gelphie” subtext, and tried to hint at their love as much as possible in this PG rated film. (I would be so seated for a higher maturity rated version of Wicked, for several reasons).

    I do appreciate the casting of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who are both insanely talented and brought so much to their roles, and by extension, the movie as a whole. In fact, some of the most impactful moments of the film are improvised (i.e. the door scene) – which is a testament to Ariana and Cynthia. Their “For Good” performance was touching and one of the better songs of the film. Chu was correct to leave the final shot a surprise to studio execs, which allowed for fans to be genuinely gagged.

    Universal Pictures

    Erivo’s casting in particular deepened the meaning of the franchise for a lot of fans, myself included. Her portrayal of Elphaba, and the connections to being a Black woman in America, take the themes of this story to a whole new level.

    Having said that, the radical themes presented in the first film is what makes the second part more of a let down. We were ready to take down Oz! To see Elphaba be all powerful! And to see her actually, even for five minutes, be truly wicked.

    Instead Elphaba, who was once the most studious and all powerful in Oz, seemed less studied, less powerful, and at times defeated. With Elphaba now being portrayed by a Black actress, the implications of Glinda’s actions (and the ending) are even worse. Many of the unfortunate events that occur in this story can be traced back to Glinda. Not only was she fake, but she incredibly selfish and weak, which caused significant harm those around her.

    In regards to her wedding day — It’s not like Elphaba was trying to seduce Fiyero to go away with her. Fiyero was lowkey always ready to ride for Elphaba. Glinda couldn’t handle not being that girl, and she couldn’t handle losing the love of her life (Elphaba) on her wedding day. I understand her pain, but she didn’t have to set up Nessarose (even though I could care less about her, either).

    Universal Pictures

    Glinda has pretended her whole life, and she only gains an ounce of bravery once her “best friend” (for whom she did practically nothing to help save) dies. Now she is bestowed the land of Oz, the magic, and the responsibility of upholding what is “Good”.

    Even in the first film, their friendship felt unearned. But, I had to remind myself: There were literally no other green people in Oz. Elphaba lived a complicated, lonely life, so of course breadcrumbs of friendship with the most popular girl in the land felt like a feast. 

    No friend of mine would stand back and watch me die, or let people speak down on my name. No friend of mine would have participated in the charades of the empire unchallenged for that long. Thus, Glinda will never be a real friend or anything else in my eyes.

    Universal Pictures

    However, I understand that is not true for Elphaba. As aforementioned, she and Glinda love each other, and more than just in a friendship way, which is important to the context of their relationship as well. Nonetheless, Glinda’s inability to stand for something isn’t justified. And while the childhood flashback was cute and helpful for rationalizing her behavior as an adult, it doesn’t absolve her, either.

    On the contrary, Fiyero (played by the charming Jonathan Bailey, aka People’s “Sexiest Man Alive“), proved to be a true ally to Elphaba. He saw her for who she was, from the beginning. He was ready and willing to risk it all — rebelling and riding for her when necessary. The character that was once “dancing through life” and felt that “nothing really matters” found something worth fighting for. When it was time to leave Oz, he was ready to follow Elphaba. He instinctually protected her, even though she was technically more powerful than him.

    For these reasons, I don’t agree that Fiyero and Elphaba’s love story was forced, or present purely because of heteronormativity. However, I do think Elphaba and Glinda will always love each other more. 

    Elphaba wanted Glinda to choose her the way Fiyero did. And if she did, they could’ve been in a throuple or something, who knows?

    Universal Pictures

    Initially, the ending was really tragic to me not because Glinda and Elphaba don’t get to be together, but because Elphaba’s ending hit too close to home. There are so many parallels between Elphaba’s ostracization in Oz and how Black women are treated in real life. So many Black women have died not getting the credit they were due.

    Black women are constantly copied, while never praised. Needed, but never valued. Admired only in secret. Publicly hated on for our aura, and for our power. Elphaba was the most powerful being in Oz. Hated for being green yet emerald signified regal status in the highest city in the land. A white man was credited for something he could only pretend to be, and tried to use her for the power he only wished he had.

    At least in faking her death, Elphaba got to live on her own terms. After debriefing with friends, the only solace I could find is that Elphaba needed to move on because she was tired of living that life. Tired of being unappreciated, lied on, and fighting for those that didn’t want to be saved. Maybe the only true peace she could find was in death, unfortunately like many Black women that came before her. 

    Universal Pictures

    I was still unsettled with the notion that a white woman would live off of Elphaba’s goodwill, that no good deed of hers would not only go unpunished but unrecognized. More than this, the political parallels in these times did not need an ending that leaned into white saviorism.

    But my debrief with friends helped again, coming to the conclusion that even if Elphaba had gotten the credit, and the rest of Oz knew she was alive, they would never leave her alone. They would still want to use her for what she could do for them, she would never be free to have a life of her own.

    Thus, I am holding space for Elphie and what makes her happy. And she gets to ride away with Fiyero who now literally has the “ding-a-ling of gold”. (IYKYK: Fiyero is now made of straw but his member isn’t…word to a fun song the Braxton girls once sang).

    In the end Elphaba chose herself and her peace, and Glinda got she wanted, but at a very expensive cost.

    Final Thoughts

    While this film is not perfect, I still consider it to be good art as it is entertaining and encourages discussion. Art should make you feel something. Admittedly, I’ve been in my feelings for a year about Elphaba. The Wizard of Oz (released 1939) is the most-watched film of all time, so no wonder Wicked is breaking box office records and connecting deeply with the masses, even after all this time.

    Wicked (and Elphaba) will be that girl, regardless of her flaws. And thus, it’s a certified bop. 🍿🍿🍿

    Universal Pictures

  • Welcome to the blog!

    Hello and welcome to Still In Bloom Creative Studio, serving as a portal to my new and improved blog. I am a lover of art and pop culture, and I love to write about movies and other passions. Please enjoy and subscribe if you like!