The Wiz Live! was an enormous success for NBC when it aired earlier this month. So much so that the network has decided to re-air the special Saturday at 8/7c.
The December broadcast of The Wiz Live! brought in 11.1 million viewers and made social media history, becoming the #1 most social live special program since Nielsen Social began tracking Twitter TV activity in October 2011.
Newcomer Shanice Williams stopped by theGrio to talk about her triumphant TV debut and celebrate the success of The Wiz Live!.
SEE ALSO: The Wiz Live! Equals Ratings Gold for NBC
“This was the perfect time for The Wiz. It shows that we’re African-Americans, we’re doing something positive, and we’re bringing joy to people, and anyone can do anything,” Williams said.
Williams opened up about the creative decision for Dorothy to rock natural curly hair during the broadcast.
“She was just a natural African-American girl. I know you saw the promo pictures for Glinda with the blonde hair, and we was like, ‘Good witch doesn’t have to have blonde hair, she can have her natural braided up hair, like an African-American queen.’ I’m happy that they stuck with those choices. It added to her character. She’s just funky, modern and fierce.”
SEE ALSO: The Wiz Live! Was a Celebration of Black Excellence
Be sure to watch The Wiz Live! when it re-airs on NBC Saturday at 8/7c.
Follow theGrio.com’s Entertainment Editor Chris Witherspoon on Twitter @WitherspoonC.