2 weeks Ago
Shea Osei, 33, has already been to see the film three times and is preparing to return for a fourth time after being contacted by the film’s star, Cynthia Erivo, to help create the nails for her character Elphaba. Cynthia, who plays the Wicked Witch of the West in the blockbuster film, first worked Shea, from Wickford, 15 years ago and enlisted her help once again as she prepared to star in the film alongside superstar Ariana Grande. “She had been unhappy with the nails she’d got at a previous salon and when she came into our space it was love at first sight,” said Shea.
“We bonded instantly and developed this really strong relationship. So, when Cynthia was offered the role, she asked for me to be her nail technician.” Shea, who also worked with Erivo on 2023’s Luther: The Fallen Sun, created more than 35 sets of nails for Wicked, designing “ombre green styles” for younger Elphaba, and more eye-catching designs for the fully-grown character.
The design and creation of Erivo’s Wicked nails took months to be completed, with Shea first being asked to join the team in 2022. “I was actually just sat on my sofa when I found out that I would be the nail tech for Wicked,” she said. In the weeks since Wicked premiered, Shea has seen the film three times and is looking to catch another screening with her children this weekend.
She said she can’t get enough of seeing her work in the movie and that her older children also appreciate their mum’s achievement. Shea added: “My six and four year-olds get really excited whenever they see posters for the film, they’ll scream ‘Aunty Cynthia’”. In addition to looking after her two older children, Shea was also heavily pregnant for much of her time on the Wicked set.
The mum of three, who has lived in Basildon for the last 15 years, said she hopes to build on her recent film work and showcase the artistry of nail design. “The skill is being able to see a blank canvas, come up with a beautiful pattern or design and then translate that onto a really tiny canvas. “And it helps to have steady hand!”, said Shea.
.
