A talented nail artist, Shei Osei, recently had a heartwarming moment when she saw the nails she created for Cynthia Erivo in the Wicked movie on the big screen.
Osei, 33, who hails from Basildon, Essex, had the opportunity to collaborate with the actress to design nail art for her character Elphaba, whom she has known for 15 years.
Not only did Osei create stunning nail designs for the movie, but she was also tasked with doing Erivo’s nails for the green carpet event in London’s Southbank, which was transformed into the Emerald City for the premiere.
Reflecting on the experience, Osei admitted that she shed tears of joy while watching the movie, overwhelmed by the realization of her work on the silver screen.
Having started learning nail art at the age of 14 and pursuing it as a career at 18, Osei has built a celebrity clientele that includes names like Candice Brathwaite and Maya Jama.
She previously worked on Erivo’s nails for the Netflix film, Luther: The Fallen Sun, before receiving the call to work on the Wicked movie in 2022.
For the film, Osei crafted over 35 sets of press-on nails using a range of green shades, ombré techniques, and foil designs to bring Elphaba’s character transformation to life.
Each set took up to 90 minutes to create, ensuring consistency in style, color, shape, and design throughout the scenes.
Describing the creative process, Osei shared that the nail designs were an integral part of telling the character’s story, from her initial shyness to her eventual confidence in the Emerald City.
The nail art not only reflected Elphaba’s journey but also allowed Erivo to remain true to herself on-screen.
Since her work on the Wicked movie, Osei has received widespread love and recognition globally.
