Cynthia Erivo, known for her powerful portrayal of Elphaba in the upcoming film Wicked, recently took to Instagram to address a fan-made poster that struck a nerve with her. The poster, a playful recreation of the iconic animated image from the film, depicted Glinda whispering into Elphaba’s ear. However, what caught Erivo’s attention was the alteration that obscured her eyes, a detail that was visible in the official poster but hidden underneath Elphaba’s hat in the Broadway version.
In a heartfelt message on her Instagram story, Erivo expressed her disappointment and frustration, stating, “This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen. None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us.” She went on to draw parallels to other meme trends that have circulated, including a viral video of herself and Ariana Grande playfully punching each other in costume.
Erivo emphasized the importance of respecting her as a real-life human being, not just a character on a poster. She shared that her decision to look directly at the camera in the original poster was intentional, as she wanted to convey her character’s emotions through her eyes. Editing her face and hiding her eyes felt like erasing a part of her identity, which she found deeply hurtful.
Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, is a highly anticipated two-part film series based on the beloved Broadway musical. Erivo stars as Elphaba, the misunderstood witch, while Grande takes on the role of Glinda, her unlikely friend. Both characters originated from L. Frank Baum’s classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and have captured the hearts of audiences since the musical’s debut in 2003.
As the film gears up for its theatrical release on November 22, Erivo’s powerful performance is sure to captivate audiences alongside a star-studded cast including Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, and Peter Dinklage. Wicked promises to be a spectacular cinematic event that will redefine the holiday season for fans old and new.
