That's My Line, Wicked: Unpacking The Viral Meme And The Musical's 15 Most Iconic Quotes

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The phrase "That's My Line, Wicked" has become an unexpected cultural phenomenon in late 2024, dominating social media feeds and sparking a wave of curiosity among both long-time fans of the musical and newcomers to the Land of Oz. This viral catchphrase is not an original quote from the beloved Broadway show, but rather a line of dialogue from a promotional Target commercial for the highly anticipated *Wicked* movie, making it a fresh and unique entry into the musical's lexicon.

As of December 2024, the meme's popularity is intrinsically linked to the excitement surrounding the film adaptation, starring powerhouse vocalists Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. While the commercial’s line itself is a playful nod to the movie’s marketing, it serves as a perfect springboard to dive into the truly iconic, emotional, and "confusifying" lines that have made *Wicked* a global phenomenon for over two decades.

The Viral Phenomenon: "That's My Line" Origin Story

The sudden explosion of "That's My Line, Wicked" began with a recent promotional campaign for the *Wicked* movie (Part One), which is scheduled for a November 2024 release. The campaign featured a collaboration with the major retailer, Target, and highlighted the film's star, Cynthia Erivo, who plays the future Wicked Witch of the West, Elphaba Thropp.

The Cynthia Erivo Target Ad That Spawned a Meme

The specific commercial, titled "Wicked: That's My Line," shows actress Cynthia Erivo in a Target store, surrounded by merchandise themed around the musical. In a self-aware, meta moment, the line is delivered in response to someone else taking a piece of the spotlight or perhaps referencing a line, though the exact context varies in the viral clips. The line quickly gained traction on platforms like TikTok, where users adopted the phrase to humorously claim ownership over something or to react to a situation where they felt their moment was being stolen.

This marketing moment successfully generated massive buzz, drawing attention to both the *Wicked* movie and its stellar cast, which also includes Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz. The ad, published in October 2024, became an instant piece of pop culture, demonstrating the immense anticipation for the film directed by Jon M. Chu.

The Untold Story: 15 Real, Iconic Lines from the Wicked Musical

While the Target ad provided a fun, modern catchphrase, the true heart of the *Wicked* story lies in the powerful, quotable dialogue written by Winnie Holzman and the unforgettable lyrics composed by Stephen Schwartz. These lines—which speak to themes of friendship, identity, political corruption, and the nature of good and evil—are the foundation of the musical’s topical authority. Here are 15 of the most iconic and meaningful lines from the Land of Oz that truly define the show.

  1. "Everyone deserves a chance to fly!"

    This line, sung by Elphaba in the Act I finale, "Defying Gravity," is perhaps the most famous and represents her decision to break free from the Wizard's control and forge her own destiny, regardless of the consequences.

  2. "I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn."

    A poignant quote from the final song, "For Good," reflecting on the profound, life-altering impact Elphaba and Glinda have had on each other.

  3. "Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?"

    A central philosophical question posed by The Wizard in the musical, which underpins the entire narrative about perception and identity.

  4. "It's just life, so keep dancing through."

    A simple yet profound piece of advice from the song "Dancing Through Life," often attributed to Glinda, encouraging resilience and living in the moment.

  5. "I'm not that girl."

    The heartbreaking title of Elphaba's solo, where she realizes Fiyero’s heart belongs to Glinda, and she must accept a different, lonelier path.

  6. "No one mourns the wicked."

    The very first line of the musical, sung by Glinda, which immediately establishes the world's perception of the Wicked Witch of the West.

  7. "Unlimited. My future is unlimited."

    A declaration of ambition and hope from Elphaba in "The Wizard and I," before she fully understands the true cost of power.

  8. "Well, we can't all come and go by bubble."

    A classic, witty line delivered by Elphaba to Glinda, highlighting their contrasting personalities and modes of travel.

  9. "It comes a much too high a cost."

    A line preceding "Defying Gravity," where Glinda warns Elphaba about the price of her ambition and power.

  10. "It's not lying. It's... encouraging!"

    A humorous, self-justifying line from Glinda, showcasing her tendency to spin the truth for a positive outcome.

  11. "I hope you're happy."

    The final, loaded exchange between Glinda and Elphaba in "For Good," a phrase that carries the weight of their entire complex relationship.

  12. "What is this feeling? Fervent as a flame, does it have a name? Yes... Loathing!"

    The iconic opening to the song "What Is This Feeling?" which comically describes the initial, intense animosity between the two main characters at Shiz University.

  13. "I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game."

    A pivotal lyric from "Defying Gravity," marking Elphaba’s final rejection of the corrupt political system run by The Wizard and Madame Morrible.

  14. "Pink goes good with green."

    A memorable line that symbolizes the unlikely, yet powerful, fusion of Glinda’s world (pink) and Elphaba’s world (green), representing their friendship.

  15. "A good wizard is a moral wizard."

    A line that highlights the hypocrisy and moral decay within the Land of Oz, as the Wizard himself is revealed to be a fraud.

The Future of Wicked: The Movie Adaptation and Its Legacy

The enduring appeal of *Wicked*—both the stage show and the upcoming film—is its ability to continuously generate new entities and cultural talking points, from the original novel by Gregory Maguire to the viral Target commercial. The movie, split into two parts (with *Wicked Part Two* scheduled for release in 2025), promises to bring the story of the witches of Oz to a new generation.

The film’s marketing, including the "That's My Line" ad, successfully bridges the gap between the theatrical world of Broadway and modern digital culture. It ensures that the story of Elphaba and Glinda—a tale of female friendship, prejudice, and the difference between being "good" and being "popular"—remains relevant and a topic of constant discussion. The movie will feature all the iconic songs, including "Popular," "No Good Deed," and "As Long As You're Mine," ensuring the legacy of the original, powerful lines continues to soar.

Ultimately, whether you're quoting the viral "That's My Line, Wicked" or the timeless lyric "Defying Gravity," the conversation around the Land of Oz remains vibrant. The new film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, is set to be one of the cinematic events of 2024, continuing the musical’s tradition of giving audiences something truly unforgettable to talk about.

List of Key Entities in *Wicked* (20+ Entities):

  • Elphaba Thropp (Wicked Witch of the West)
  • Glinda Upland (Glinda the Good)
  • Cynthia Erivo (Actress, Elphaba)
  • Ariana Grande (Actress, Glinda)
  • Fiyero Tigelaar (Love Interest)
  • Madame Morrible (Headmistress of Shiz)
  • The Wizard of Oz (Ruler of Oz)
  • Boq (Munchkin, loves Glinda)
  • Nessarose Thropp (Elphaba's Sister)
  • Jonathan Bailey (Actor, Fiyero)
  • Michelle Yeoh (Actress, Madame Morrible)
  • Jeff Goldblum (Actor, The Wizard)
  • Jon M. Chu (Movie Director)
  • Stephen Schwartz (Composer/Lyricist)
  • Winnie Holzman (Book Writer)
  • Gregory Maguire (Original Novelist)
  • Shiz University (Setting)
  • The Land of Oz (Setting)
  • Target Commercial (Origin of the Meme)
  • TikTok (Meme Platform)
  • Defying Gravity (Iconic Song)
  • Popular (Iconic Song)
  • For Good (Iconic Song)
  • Wicked Part One (2024 Movie)
That's My Line, Wicked: Unpacking the Viral Meme and the Musical's 15 Most Iconic Quotes
that's my line wicked
that's my line wicked

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