In a series of heartfelt and candid Instagram stories, Jon M. Chu explained why he wouldn't attend the highly anticipated premiere. Overlaying an image of a beaded bracelet with the phrase “DEFY GRAVITY,

Jon M. Chu livestreamed into the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Wicked’ on Saturday, November 9, as his wife went into labor with their fifth child

On Nov. 9, the cast and crew of the highly anticipated new movie “Wicked” assembled in Los Angeles for its premiere. The director of the film, Jon M. Chu, who is best known for directing films like “Crazy Rich Asians,” “In The Heights” and more, shared his excitement for the premiere on his Instagram stories.

Wicked director Jon M. Chu wasn’t present at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles Nov. 9, but for good reason: His wife Kristin Hodge is preparing to welcome their fifth baby.

Jon M. Chu had a bit of a scheduling conflict with the Los Angeles premiere of his sweeping musical Wicked. Ahead of the the film’s West Coast debut, held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Chu spoke to attendees,

The director joked that he and wife Kristin Hodge would not be "naming [the baby] Galphaba" in a nod to the movie

Oh, what a celebration Jon M. Chu is having today. The Wicked director was MIA from the film's premiere in Los Angeles on Nov. 9, as his wife Kristin Hodge is preparing to give birth to their fifth baby.