Nail Artist Shea Osei Reflects on Emotional Moment After Seeing Her Work on the Big Screen in Wicked
When nail artist Shea Osei was asked by Cynthia Erivo to create nail designs for her character Elphaba in the highly anticipated Wicked movie, she never imagined how emotional the experience would be. After working tirelessly alongside Erivo, Osei was moved to tears when she saw her intricate designs on the big screen during the movie's premiere.
Osei, a talented nail technician from Basildon, Essex, has known Erivo for 15 years, and their collaboration in Wicked was more than just a professional endeavor—it was a celebration of friendship, creativity, and trust. When Erivo was cast as Elphaba in 2021, she reached out to Osei a year later, asking her to help bring the iconic character's look to life with custom nail art that would reflect the character's transformation throughout the film.
A Longtime Friendship and Professional Partnership
The bond between Osei and Erivo goes back over a decade, with the two having worked together on multiple projects, including the Netflix film Luther: The Fallen Sun. When Osei received the call from Erivo in 2022, she jumped at the opportunity to create designs for a character as iconic as Elphaba.
“I was able to watch it amongst everyone else… I cried. There are many bits that I cried at,” Osei said. “I’m very hard on myself when it comes to my work and what I do. I was checking to see if I had put it on properly, did I shape it properly, and was the ombré good.”
A Transformative Nail Design Process for Elphaba
Osei’s work on the film involved designing more than 35 sets of press-on nails for Erivo's character. Using various shades of green, ombré effects, and foil designs, Osei carefully crafted nails that reflected the evolution of Elphaba’s character. As the story progresses, Elphaba transforms from a shy and timid figure to a confident, empowered woman, and Osei's nails played a key role in visually representing this journey.
“When Elphaba comes into her own and she becomes more confident in who she is when she gets to the Emerald City… she has that confidence and her nails tell that story too. It's more of a daring design and more 'this is me, this is who I am and you will accept me for who I want to be'.” Osei explained.
The design process was meticulous, with each set of nails taking up to 90 minutes to perfect. Osei made sure the nails were consistent in style, shape, and design, allowing them to complement the character's dramatic transformation.
A Bold and Daring Look for Elphaba
In addition to her work on the film, Osei also created a stunning set of nails for Erivo's green carpet appearance at the London premiere of Wicked. The nails, which featured a blend of green shades and intricate foil accents, helped Erivo feel both authentically herself and fully immersed in her role as Elphaba.
“Cynthia outside of Elphaba is someone who enjoys getting her nails done… in the movie, I feel like it tells the story of Elphaba but Cynthia can still feel authentically herself throughout the whole movie,” Osei shared. “We always knew we wanted the nails to be a part of the film… she’s touching the broom, she’s putting her hat on. You would want your nails to match and look good on camera.”
A Moment of Recognition and Gratitude
Since working on Wicked, Osei has received an outpouring of love and recognition for her work. While nails often go unnoticed in film and media, the striking designs in Wicked have caught the attention of fans and professionals alike. Osei’s story is a testament to the dedication and passion that goes into her craft.
“Everyone says they don’t pay attention to nails, but in Wicked, they paid attention to the nails,” Osei reflected. “I’m grateful that my talent is being seen, and I hope this can bring hope to other nail techs and other beauticians. These things don’t come overnight, and if you keep pushing on, you’ll get there in the end.”
Osei's journey from a 14-year-old learning the art of nails to becoming a celebrity nail artist is an inspiring story of perseverance, skill, and creativity. With her work now showcased in one of the most anticipated films of the year, Shea Osei is set to become a name synonymous with excellence in the nail industry.