“Beats cancer, then sings the HECK out of this song. AH-MAZING.” Fans are still not over Jessie J’s recent powerhouse performance of the iconic Wicked hit “Defying Gravity.” Singing the soaring vocal melodies of Idina Menzel’s smash hit is no easy task, but of course, Jessie is just the woman to do it! Just months after leaving the hospital following complications of her successful cancer treatment, to hear Jessie deliver such an electrifying performance is so inspiring.
It’s total goosebumps territory when she hits that thunderous vocal run over the final key change at 2:44. In a career full of epic vocal performances, Jessie really outdid herself here. You can tell she was really feeling herself that day. No doubt the lyrical theme of overcoming adversity hit extra hard for her after her recent health struggles. The Music Man also has to give it up for the BBC Concert Orchestra, who provide a fittingly lush and epic backing for the performance.
Jessie performed “Defying Gravity” in the BBC Radio 2 Piano Room on February 27, 2026. Fans were mighty impressed and added comments such as “How many other pop singers could pull this out at a live recording? Jessie J has been underrated for far too long in the UK” and “Can we also take a moment to appreciate that this very clearly didn’t have any pitch correction? Pure, raw, imperfectly perfect talent. She is a master of her craft!!”
One of The Music Man’s favourite Jessie J covers is her take on Prince’s “Purple Rain.” She delivers such a soulful performance full of feeling here. How velvety her voice sounds on the R&B number is so satisfying to listen to. When she brings the thunder at 3:30 leading into the guitar solo – what an epic climax. She really made it her own, and no doubt Prince would be proud.
“Defying Gravity” was a song composed by Stephen Schwartz for the musical Wicked. The vocals were recorded by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who also starred in the musical. “Defying Gravity” is considered by many to be one of the most iconic musical numbers of the 21st century, and it became a major crossover hit. The original recording of “Defying Gravity” went Platinum in the UK. The Glee cast also scored a hit with their version, which charted at 31 on the US Billboard Hot 100. With the big vocal runs featured on “Defying Gravity,” it sure takes a brave singer to cover it. The Music Man has to say that Jessie J’s ability to take the musical number on and perform it so powerfully is a showcase of how rare a talent she is in pop music.