Nine African creators from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa recently attended the exclusive European premiere of Universal Pictures’ Wicked in London before its global release.
The creators who attended the Wicked premiere included Azziad Nasenya and Claire Wamboi from Kenya; Grace Amaku, Hilda Effiong Bassey, Iremide Makinde, and Pelumi Olawuni from Nigeria; and Banele Ndaba, Kayla Kim Meiring, and Tricia Mpisi from South Africa.
This event showcased their creativity and influence, featuring experiences like Wicked-themed activities at iconic locations such as the Sketch tea room and a pre-premiere meet-and-greet at Raffles with the film’s stars, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The creators also participated in Film and TV Fan Content workshops at TikTok’s UK offices to hone their skills.
Wicked is a reimagining of the witches of Oz, based on the globally acclaimed stage musical. Cynthia Erivo stars as Elphaba, a misunderstood young woman with untapped potential, while Ariana Grande plays Glinda, a privileged yet ambitious figure searching for her true heart. Their journeys shape them into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. The film has already inspired over 49,000 user-generated videos and 1.5 million content searches, highlighting its cultural resonance.
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TikTok continues to redefine entertainment with its interactive and immersive platform. With 1 billion monthly users and over 66,000 videos created every minute, it has become a hub for discovering and engaging with movies and TV shows. Trending hashtags like #WhatToWatch have generated millions of posts, connecting audiences across South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria to the latest entertainment content.
Their presence underscores the growing influence of African voices in global entertainment, with TikTok playing a pivotal role in amplifying diverse talent and storytelling.
