Critics Reactions to Jonathan Bailey's perfomance as Fiyero (Master Post)
âDancing Through Life,â on the other hand, is the adaptationâs biggest musical accomplishment. Although Wicked is primarily about the relationship between these two women, the charming prince Fiyero always threatens to steal the show, and never more so now that Bridgerton heartthrob Jonathan Bailey is playing him in a dazzling blue/gold suit. Setting this song in a library full of rotating, cylindrical shelves allows the dancers to really show off their moves, while Bailey succeeds at infusing the number with his personality as he flirts with men and women alike. Unless Wicked really hits big with the Academy, itâs unlikely that Bailey will score a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Oscars, but surely he deserves some honor for being the sexiest actor on Earth at the moment â hope youâre taking notes for next year, PEOPLE! [x]
And Bailey, from his boot-toe book choreography to ovation-worthy gymnastics, is hoofing his way through every step of âDancing Through Life;â there will be deserved awards attention coming Grande and Erivoâs way for Wicked, and Bailey should be as much a part of the conversation. I canât remember the last time a performance was so instantly charismatic, the kind of movie-star heistâhe nearly runs away with the film during that musical numberâthat makes going to the cinema so exciting. [x]
A character I was worried about going into this. Jonathan Bailey, he plays Fiyero, who is this kind of just over the top cocky, flamboyant, kind of douchey, but in a fun way character. And thereâs just so much there that it could be really easy to mess up. And I didnât know that he was into song and dance performance, because Iâve only seen him in Bridgerton, so I didnât know what else was in his repertoire. But I feel like he absolutely crushed that character. You cannot help but love everything he does when heâs on screen. He nails it. [x]
Jonathan Bailey oozes sex appeal and charisma as Fiyero Tigelaar in an utterly swoon-worthy performance, unleashing his West End talents with the dazzling âDancing Through Lifeâ sequence that cements himself as a true superstar, while his chemistry with both Erivo and Grande is off the charts. [x]
I have to give Jonathan Bailey his freaking flowers. I thought he was going to be good. He got an Olivier award for Company and if you haven't, there is a video of him singing The Last Five Years from years agoâŚ.So I was like I think he's going to do a good job, he's also so charming and everybody loves him. I was not prepared to see what we got. The perfomance, the vocals, the gymnastics, the charm, the way he says 'you're perfect' is just engrained in my brain in the right way. And he's soâŚlike he would have chemistry with a chair, I'm convinced. Everyone in 'Dancing Through Life' is now pregnant and so am I. His entire arc of Fiyero being like the daft person and then becoming who he becomes is so clear and every choice, and look, nuances he hasâŚit is calculated but effortless. [x]
Jonathan Bailey delights in the supporting cast as her love interest Fiyero, also offering a fantastic interpretation of someone who hasnât been called upon too often to be serious but might be willing to give it a try. [x]
âDancing Through Lifeâ triumphantly translates the joy of seeing Wicked live: Dancers perform acrobatics in rotating circular bookshelves, Jonathan Bailey (who I swear has chemistry with every single person on the planet) taps his way across books with a flippancy perfectly suited to the charismatic prince Fiyero, and the ensemble works (and sings!) in harmony. [x]
Jonathan Bailey uncorks an outrageous scene-stealer as the heterocamp Fiyero, a performance to put alongside Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride. [x]
Chu's usual choreographer, Christopher Scott, delivers again with vibrant, inspired moves, particularly in the elaborate "Dancing Through Life," which takes place in the school's rotating, multilevel library. "Bridgerton" star Jonathan Bailey gets a chance to show off his musical theater background here, and he's terrifically charming as the glib Prince Fiyero, the object of both Elphaba and Galinda's romantic interests. [x]
The true surprise, even more than Grande, is Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, the charming prince with hidden depths that both Galinda and Elphaba gravitate towards. Bailey has such a light comic touch to him and his performance of âDancing Through Lifeâ might be the best part of the movie, and the most ambitious set piece in the film. [x]
The true standouts are three-fold, with Grande, Erivo, and Bailey embracing the tonal shifts with unbridled glee. [âŚ] Fiyero has major bisexual vibes, and chemistry with every single character. Baileyâs take on âDancing Through Lifeâ lets the Olivier Award-winning actor unleash his sex appeal on a library full of unsuspecting Oz-ites. [x]
Jonathan Bailey adds renegade bravado as the devil-may-care Prince Fiyero, selling the character's journey from apathy to activism with aplomb. [x]
Elsewhere, British heartthrob Jonathan Bailey steals the show as the vain Prince Fiyero Tigelaar, a love interest for both young witches. Bailey effortlessly dances and sings his way through the filmâs most demanding musical numbers. [x]
It's Jonathan Bailey who threatens to steal the show though, instantly charming during Flyero's meet-cute with Elphaba. Anybody not swooning already will be with his excellent 'Dancing Through Life' number, Bailey's palpable charisma shining through the extended number which culminates in a reimagined Ozdust Ballroom. [x]
One more: Jonathan Bailey. His dashing Prince Fiyero is one charming prince, so cheeky that he will have boys and girls everywhere swooning. And swoon they do, within the film â itâs a small thing, and not to get all #RepresentationMatters about it, but I was delighted to see Wicked make very clear that both male and female Shiz students are equally lustful whenever Fiyeroâs around. There are some deliciously flirtatious moments between Fiyero and some guys during âDancing Through Life,â and it had me thinking about the fact that, for as fabulously gay as musical theater so often is, you donât usually see that kind of thing in a massive mainstream film. Kudos all around. [x]
The standout to me: Iâm going to go with Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. He pops up into the film and immediately comes off so cocky, but so charming and likable. Just everybody he talks to, he has this fun rapport and chemistry with them, and just brings to life every scene that heâs in, whether it is just dialogue, joking, dramatic or his big dance number in the library. Heâs so good. And itâs one of those things where I am not super familiar with him outside of this, and you just see him and you go - man, that guy is a star, this guy is really good. [x]
And while Wicked is all about is two leading ladies, we must spare a moment or several for Jonathan Baileyâs virile, twinkly Fiyero, who quite literally leaps onto the screen on his horse while clad in tight britches and sturdy riding boots. Heâs charming in a way I never found the rather bland character to be onstage, bringing vibrancy to the role as a big screen heartthrob who tears up the floor (and library books) with his aggressive dancing. Now it makes sense that he could turn the head of both Glinda and Elphaba. A West End veteran himself, Bridgerton actor Bailey also boasts an exemplary voice â the casting directors truly spoiled fans here â and there are no exceptions made when every number is treated as a potential show-stopper. [x]
In terms of supporting performances, Baileyâs absolutely dashing and magnetic, giving a star-making performance â a la Rupert Everettâs in MY BEST FRIENDâS WEDDING. He lights up the screen as the object of romantic affection in screwball-esque scenes shared with Grande as much as he does during the library set number leading âDancing Through Life.â [x]
Bailey is a charming Fiyero, using all of his Bridgerton swagger in exactly the right ways. He arrives well into the term, a transfer student who has reached the end of the number of schools to be kicked out of. Fiyero is sometimes treated as a throwaway characterâthe generically hot love interest for two girls to feud over. But this Baileyâs Fiyero will not be so easily dismissed and his âDancing Through Life,â plays well when accented by talented professional dancers that make the entire scene pop. [x]
Then thereâs Jonathan Bailey, who manages to steal the show from his very entrance. Not since Dan Stevens first showed up in The Guest, or perhaps when Glenn Powell out-cruised Tom in Top Gun: Maverick, has there been this much tantalizing testosterone employed in such an effective way. Baileyâs bravura take on Fiyero Tigelaar, the Winkie Prince who sings about âDancing Through Life,â is by far one of Chuâs most accomplished moments of filmmaking, managing to make the character simultaneously seductive and disarmingly silly. Itâs also a moment in Wickedâs storytelling where thereâs fun to be had, and the massive sequence is absolutely a joy that by far exceeds the smaller scope of the on-stage presentation. [x]
Jonathan Bailey is so very âthat guy.â His Fiyero doesnât have the foppish facade of the original. His portrayal makes us aware heâs more complex than he appears from the moment we meet him and his talking horse, but as a Prince Charming, his rizz is high. Who wouldnât fall in love with Bailey (and who hasnât)? [x]
Bailey as Fiyero is the ultimate casting as the Lord becomes a Prince. He delves into Fiyeroâs shallowness and his moments between Elphaba and Galinda are so starkly different as Bailey plays into both relationships organically with wonderful chemistry between all three. [x]
Jonathan Bailey has a standout musical number with âDancing Through Life,â and he manages to have chemistry with everyone on screen as the handsome Fiyero. Heâs fiercely flirtatious and fun to watch. [x]
Jonathan Bailey could have chemistry with an inanimate object. That man absolutely shines in the role of Fiyero. [x]
But, itâs Baileyâs Fiyero (surprise!) who steals the movieâs second-best scene: the elaborately choreographed âDancing Through Life.â [x]
Galinda immediately sets her sights on Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey, bringing an outstanding amount of Kenergy to his role). [âŚ] And there are certain sequences, specifically Galindaâs signature number âPopularâ and Fiyeroâs âDancing Through Lifeâ, where everything does click together nicely and the film suddenly sparks into life. [x]
Jonathan Bailey is absolutely swoony as the flirty Fiyero. While Wicked: Part One is just the beginning of his story, you can already see how Elphabaâs impact is starting to influence him to think more of others versus being shallow and self-consumed. [x]
Jonathan Baileyâs Fiyero is a joy to watch, and you can see in his physicality and the sparkle in his eyes who he is destined to become. Once we see him dance and sing, he sweeps everyone off their feet. [x]
Fiyero gets one of the filmâs most appealing numbers, brilliantly delivered by Bailey, âDancing Through Lifeâ, as the dashing Prince disturbs the peace of Shizâs library to entice his classmates to join him for an evening of fun at âthe most swankified place in townâ, the Ozdust Ballroom. With Bailey gleefully taking on Christopher Scott characterful, silky smooth, choreography, he goes on to offer us seductive glimpses of the more substantial man hiding behind his mask of superficiality. [x]
I canât say the word scene-stealer without talking about Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero. Give Jonathan Bailey awards, give him every role ⌠for being so amazing in this movie. He is just so effortlessly cool and charming and funny, but I love the heart that he gives certain moments ⌠Fiyero just lives with me now ⌠He enters this movie giving me one of my favourite performances. [x]
The supporting cast proves equally magnificent. Jonathan Baileyâs Fiyero exudes oodles of charisma and a strong voice, easily proving he can handle Christopher Scottâs limber choreography while simultaneously putting his own stamp on it. While his character plays a more major role in the second film, his introduction, through the stunning âDancing Through Lifeâ number, leaves a lasting impression and makes for a compelling counterpoint for both leading ladies. [x]
Not to be outdone, Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton fame plays Fiyero. The heartthrob, almost brainless hunk, who arrives at Shiz and drives so many of the students crazy with lust. Now Baileyâs carefree, but passionate, and decisive in both singing and choreography. With his signature song âDancing Through Lifeâ, Bailey gets to showcase some awesome footwork, along with amazing vocals, for a scene that is just mesmerizing thanks to the energy and the camera work. [x]
That said, it's BRIDGERTON (2020) star Jonathan Bailey who winds up stealing most of the scenes he's in as the Prince, Fiyero Tigelaar. Bailey is fantastic as the Prince, bringing an entertaining sense of levity and delight to the film. This is to the point that Bailey's absence in the film's finale is quite noticeable, with the film feeling somewhat dull without his presence. [x]
Elsewhere, Jonathan Bailey is charismatic as the dumb-but-charming Fiyero, and thereâs a campness to his song-and-dance number, âDancing Through Lifeâ that will stir the loins in a whole range of viewers. [x]
One standout is Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, the Winkie prince who quickly makes a mark on Shiz after his enrollment. Bailey is not only charming and funny throughout, but exudes an energy that many of the other supporting players simply lack. [x]
Supporting roles are strong too, most notably from Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, full of bravado and fun, as well as a hefty dose of yearning â and fans of Bridgerton will know that no one does yearning like Bailey. His 'Dancing Through Life' is a blast but he's just as powerful in the film's quieter moments as his chemistry with Elphaba burns. [x]
As for the supporting cast, Bailey absolutely shines in his biggest film role to date. Much like Galinda, Fiyero is initially privileged and arrogant, but Bailey instils him with so much undeniable charm that you can easily understand why literally everyone at Shiz is falling under his spell. The seeds are sewn for Fiyero to open up in Part Two, but, for now, Bailey nails it as a seemingly one-dimensional hunk with hidden layers to explore. [x]




























