Jon M. Chu, the visionary director behind the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked, is celebrating two milestones—becoming a father again and the Los Angeles premiere of his movie. On November 9, Chu and his wife, Kristin Hodge, welcomed a new addition to their family: a beautiful baby girl. This magical moment marked Chu's fifth child, joining siblings Willow, Jonathan Heights, Ruby, and Iggy.
The timing of his daughter's birth perfectly coincided with the premiere of Wicked, creating an emotional, unforgettable day for the director. Sharing this joyful moment with his fans, Chu took to Instagram to announce his daughter's arrival. Alongside a hospital photo of a green and black friendship bracelet reading "defy gravity," he wrote, “This movie has always moved in mysterious ways. Today is a day I’ve been dreaming about for a long time. Two babies (a movie and a little girl) all at one time, and I truly couldn’t be happier.”
In an Instagram story posted earlier that morning, Chu revealed he would be missing the premiere due to a “change of plans at about 4am.” The director joked about the unexpected turn, quipping, "No, we will not be naming her Galphaba," referring to the film’s iconic green-skinned character, Elphaba.
Although unable to attend the premiere, Chu encouraged fans to “send all the love to our insanely talented cast and crew tonight,” showing his gratitude for the dedication of everyone involved in the project. He added a touching wish for his daughter: “If she can even have a fraction of the bravery that my wife, @cynthiaerivo, @arianagrande, @michelleyeoh_official or @marissa_edob has, then she too will defy gravity one day.”
Chu’s Instagram feed was filled with celebratory posts, including a light-hearted snapshot of his premiere suit still in its garment bag with the caption, “Should I just wear the suit for the birth?” He also shared a clip of Ariana Grande’s brother, Frankie Grande, sending an enthusiastic “Push!” to Hodge, adding humor to the emotional occasion.
Finally, Chu shared a heartwarming first glimpse of his newborn daughter—a video of his wife cradling their baby girl in the hospital, set to a gentle piano rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. “I can’t believe this happened while the movie is premiering. Magic is in the air,” he wrote, adding, “Welcome to our world, you’re gonna do great. You have a lot of witches on your side.”
A Star-Studded Premiere Despite the Director’s Absence
Despite Chu’s absence, the Wicked premiere was nothing short of enchanting. Stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo graced the red carpet, paying homage to their characters, Glinda and Elphaba. Grande looked ethereal in a white and pink checkered dress, complete with a matching bolero, gloves, and a charming bow in her hair, while Erivo stunned in a vibrant green cut-out gown adorned with a fringe shrug and statement jewelry.
The event saw Broadway legends Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel, who originally portrayed Glinda and Elphaba, joining the new cast members for a memorable reunion. Jonathan Bailey, portraying Fiyero, brought a touch of glamour with a silver sequin shirt and white pants, while Michelle Yeoh, cast as Madame Morrible, exuded elegance in a black beaded gown with a snake-inspired necklace.
In a recent interview, Chu mentioned how significant Wicked has been to his family, even referring to his newborn daughter as his “third kid during Wicked” due to the timeline of his work on the movie. “I’ve just finished the movie, so I’m sort of just letting everything go and just starting to enjoy it,” he shared, describing his excitement over the release and the arrival of his daughter. “I have a new baby coming, so in my head, that’s what I’m focused on. She could come any day now. It’s going to be a little daughter.”
For Chu, Wicked is more than a cinematic project; it is a celebration of family, courage, and magic. As the movie premieres to eager audiences, it’s clear that Jon M. Chu’s love for storytelling will continue to soar—and now, he has a new family member to inspire his journey forward.