Cynthia Erivo, the star of the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked, has expressed her frustration with a fan-edited promotional poster that she finds “deeply hurtful” for obscuring her face. On Wednesday, Erivo shared a series of fan illustrations on her Instagram Story, praising their impressive quality. However, she took issue with one altered image that concealed her face, which she found offensive.
In the edited version, Ariana Grande’s character, Glinda, is shown whispering to Erivo’s character, Elphaba, whose face is hidden by her witch hat. The original promotional poster featured Erivo staring directly at the camera, an element she emphasized was intentionally chosen for its emotional impact. The edited version more closely resembles the Broadway musical’s iconic artwork.
“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen, equal to that awful AI of us fighting,” Erivo wrote in her Instagram Story, referring to another altered image of the Wicked poster. “None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us.”
Erivo also referenced an AI-generated clip circulating online that depicts her and Grande’s Wicked characters in a fight scene, as well as a meme that makes a joke about Elphaba’s anatomy. “The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION,” she clarified, explaining that her direct gaze in the poster was a deliberate choice. “I am a real-life human being, who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer. Without words, we communicate with our eyes. Our poster is an homage, not an imitation. To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.”
She followed her statement by posting the original Wicked film poster to “remind” fans of its intended message.
Erivo’s Emotional Connection to Elphaba
During a presentation at CinemaCon in April, Erivo shared her personal connection to the character of Elphaba, stating that playing the iconic role made her feel “very protective.” She noted that both she and Grande poured their “hearts and souls” into their performances as Elphaba and Glinda. “These are two roles that have been so pivotal in our lives and meant the most to us,” she explained.
Grande echoed Erivo’s sentiments, emphasizing the responsibility they felt in bringing the beloved characters to life. “We gave it all we possibly could,” Grande added, highlighting the emotional depth the actresses brought to their roles.
Erivo, known for her powerful performances across stage and screen, also hinted at a potential future in directing, a suggestion made by her co-star, Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. “My head blew off because I hadn’t mentioned anything,” Erivo recalled after Yeoh asked when she would start directing. “If Michelle Yeoh thinks that of me—and she’s worked with everyone—I might have to start considering it seriously.”
The Upcoming Wicked Film
Wicked serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, chronicling the story of Elphaba before she became the Wicked Witch of the West. The film follows Elphaba, portrayed by Erivo, as she navigates life at Shiz University and develops a complex relationship with Glinda, played by Grande. As a social misfit due to her green skin, Elphaba possesses great potential in magic, and a budding friendship with Glinda leads them on a journey to Oz, summoned by the Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum.
The highly anticipated Wicked film is split into two parts. The first installment is set to arrive in theaters on November 22, 2024, with the second chapter slated for release on November 26, 2025.
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