"When You Believe" is a song by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey that was covered by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the 2024 Met Gala.[1] Additionally, Grande performed the song during karaoke with Tori Kelly in 2020.[2]
Background[]
The song was first covered by Grande in February 2020 during a karaoke performance with Tori Kelly.[3] On May 7, 2024, Grande performed the song at the 2024 Met Gala with Cynthia Erivo.[4] A video of the full Met Gala performance was shared on Instagram by Cara Delevingne on January 1, 2025.[5][6]
On December 21, 2024, a snippet of the studio version leaked: (
listen)
Trivia[]
- The song was written by composer Steven Schwartz for the film The Prince of Egypt (1998).[7] Schwartz is also the composer of the songs in Wicked.
- During the 2024 Met Gala performance, Ariana Grande performed Mariah Carey's parts of the song, while Cynthia Erivo performed Whitney Houston's parts.
- In a social media post sharing the Met Gala performance, Grande stated "Thank you to the divine and magical @cynthiaerivo for joining me in the end and for lighting up the museum brighter than any star in the sky ever could, It was my honor to have you and to sing with you as always. i love you !”[8]
- During the Met Gala performance, the pair was joined by a group of backup gospel singers.[9]
- For the Met Gala performance, Grande wore a green tulle dress from Maison Margiela Artisanal by John Galliano. When Erivo joined her onstage, she wore a rose houndstooth dress from Thom Borwne, meaning that the two switched colors for their movie characters (Galinda is always wearing pink, while Elphaba's skin is green).[10]
Lyrics[]
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My hearts so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speakin' words
I never thought I'd say
There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill (Mmm)
Who knows what miracles you can achieve? (You can achieve)
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe
They don't always happen when you ask
And it's easy to give in to your fears
But when you're blinded by your pain
Can't see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says, help is very near, oh (Oh)
There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah)
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)
Now, you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you (When you)
Believe
You will when you (You will when you)
Believe
Just believe (Believe)
Just believe
You will when you
Believe
References[]
- ↑ ET Online - Watch Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Perform Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston's Iconic Hit 'When You Believe
- ↑ YouTube - Ariana Grande, Tori Kelly - When You Believe Karaoke Cover
- ↑ The Grape Juice - Watch: Tori Kelly & Ariana Grande Cover Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston
- ↑ ABC News - Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo perform epic duet at Met Gala
- ↑ Reddit r/ariheads - Cara Delevingne shared an unseen clip of Ariana and Cynthia Erivo performing “When You Believe” at the Met Gala
- ↑ Instagram @caradelevinge - "This video speaks for itself. Happy 2025 everybody. This is a gift from me to you, one of my favorite moments of the year..."
- ↑ Entertainment Weekly - Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo channel Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston with ‘When You Believe’ at Met Gala
- ↑ Elle - Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s Gorgeous Duet at the Met Gala Just Made Us More Excited for Wicked
- ↑ Billboard - Ariana Grande Delivers Fairytale-Inspired Performance, Duets With Cynthia Erivo at Met Gala
- ↑ Out - Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo sang a Whitney & Mariah classic at the 2024 Met Gala