Cynthia Erivo Slams Fan-Edited ‘Wicked’ Poster That Hides Her Face: ‘It Degrades Me’

'Wicked' from Universal Pictures.
Photo: Universal Pictures

Cynthia Erivo has voiced her frustration with fans of the Broadway musical “Wicked” who have manipulated promotional material for the upcoming film adaptation. This month, Warner Bros. unveiled a new poster for “Wicked,” which features Ariana Grande as Glinda leaning in to whisper to Erivo’s Elphaba. Unlike the original Broadway poster, the film’s version makes subtle changes, such as lifting Elphaba’s hat to reveal her eyes.

In response to the poster’s release, some loyal “Wicked” fans took to social media to share photoshopped versions that lowered Elphaba’s hat and applied bold red lipstick to her character, aiming to create a closer match to the Broadway design. Erivo found these alterations deeply hurtful and offensive.

“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen,” Erivo expressed on her Instagram Story, sharing one of the altered posters with her face obscured. She compared the experience to the backlash surrounding an AI-generated video that depicted a fictional fight between her character and Glinda. Erivo also referenced the ongoing circulation of memes asking, “is your p—- green?” which are rooted in the musical’s storyline.

“None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us,” she continued. Erivo emphasized the significance of the original poster, stating, “The original poster is an illustration. 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.”

Erivo’s remarks highlight the tension between the original Broadway production and its film adaptation. Fans have strong emotional ties to the musical, which has been a staple of Broadway since its debut in 2003. The narrative follows Elphaba and Glinda, two roommates at Shiz University in Oz, who form an unlikely friendship amid their differences.

The film adaptation of “Wicked” has generated significant buzz, especially given its high-profile cast, which includes Erivo and Grande, alongside Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Bowen Yang. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film will be released in two parts, with the first installment set to hit theaters on November 22. The second part is expected to follow in 2025.

As anticipation builds for the film’s release, Erivo’s candid feedback serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by actors in the era of social media, where fan interactions can often cross the line from enthusiastic support to harmful criticism. The alterations made to the promotional material reflect a broader conversation about representation and respect for the identities of actors, particularly those who are part of marginalized communities.

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Erivo’s statements resonate with many in the entertainment industry who advocate for authenticity and inclusivity. Her call for understanding and empathy comes at a time when public figures are increasingly speaking out against harmful stereotypes and the erasure of their identities.

With “Wicked” poised to capture the hearts of both long-time fans and new audiences, it remains to be seen how the film will navigate the complexities of its source material while honoring the experiences of its cast. As the release date approaches, Erivo’s comments may serve as a pivotal moment in how fans engage with adaptations of beloved works.

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