Key Insights

• Performance Highlight: Cynthia Erivo opened the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• Song Choice: She performed “Feeling Good,” a classic originally popularized by Nina Simone.
• Event Details: The parade aired live on NBC and Peacock, marking the start of the holiday season.
• Star Cast: Erivo stars in the film Wicked: For Good, alongside Ariana Grande.

Cynthia Erivo opened the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with a breathtaking performance of “Feeling Good.”

Standing on a small circular stage accompanied by a pianist, the 38-year-old Wicked: For Good star launched the annual New York City event on Thursday (Nov. 27) with a moving rendition of the classic song, made famous by Nina Simone in 1965.

Wearing a long burgundy coat and matching hat, Erivo performed in the middle of the street, surrounded by colorful maple trees and cheering crowds lining both sides of the road.

“Feeling Good” was originally written and composed by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, and first performed on stage by Cy Grant.

Erivo stars as the viridescent vigilante Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, the long-awaited second installment of the Wicked duology, directed by Jon M. Chu. The film, which hit theaters on Nov. 21, also stars Ariana Grande as the magnetic and charismatic Glinda.

Erivo wasn’t the only performer at this year’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Other appearances included Kpop Demon Hunters singers HUNTR/X, Lainey Wilson, Ciara, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Taylor Momsen, Busta Rhymes, Shaggy and Teyana Taylor.

The 99th edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade officially opened the 2025 holiday season, airing live across all U.S. time zones on NBC and Peacock on Nov. 27, at 8:30 a.m. ET. The event was hosted by TODAY anchors Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Al Roker.

Watch Erivo’s performance of “Feeling Good” here.