Cynthia Erivo channeled her “pride about being a black woman” into her ‘Wicked’ performance. Her portrayal has resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, bringing a new dimension to the beloved character.
The 38-year-old actress had green skin as Elphaba in the hit movie – but she was inspired by her own heritage and feelings of being “othered”. This approach has earned critical acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting the emotional depth she brought to the character.
“Those braids are on purpose; I asked for the braids. The nails are on purpose, I asked for the nails,” she told Britain’s HELLO! magazine. These deliberate styling choices represent an important cultural statement in the fantasy world of Oz.
“The green stands for every person who feels othered, who feels different, who doesn’t feel as though they’re connected or ends up feeling as though they’re on the outside,” Erivo explained. Her interpretation adds layers of meaning to the character’s iconic green skin.
“They don’t feel as though they are welcomed. But there’s also that other later of, ‘Who am I underneath it?’, if they know that as black women, we walk into spaces and aren’t necessarily accepted or welcomed and aren’t necessarily the main character and are often the other. And the pride that I feel about being a black woman is in there as well.” This layered approach to the character has resonated with audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Cynthia relished the “beautiful challenge” of trying to “humanize” Elphaba in the 2024 film. The adaptation brings the story to life for both longtime fans and newcomers to the tale.
“Elphaba is a challenging character, because you want to make sure that people see her vulnerability and humanity,” the actress said. Her commitment to showing the person beneath the green makeup has been a central focus of her performance.
“You can be distracted by the green and that can be the first thing you notice, or the thing you might fixate on. You have to come past that, so that people can actually see her as a person, and see her pain and the hurt that she feels in her heart. So I had this beautiful challenge of being able to humanize her … so that you can look past and through and still accept the green that she is and the person within.” This nuanced portrayal has been praised by both critics and fans of the original stage production.
Cynthia starred alongside Ariana Grande in ‘Wicked‘, and she previously admitted to developing an immediate “connection” with her chart-topping co-star. Their chemistry has been highlighted as one of the film’s strongest elements in numerous reviews.
“When we found out we were doing this, I asked her to come around and just chill. We organized it together and she came to my house. We sat on my floor and chatted for hours and hours and hours,” the London-born actress shared to ‘Extra’. This early bonding helped create the authentic relationship seen on screen.
“I think in that moment, we both realized that we had something, like an immediate sort of connection.” Their performances bring the complex friendship between Elphaba and Glinda to life in new ways.
The film adapts the beloved musical, which has captivated audiences since its Broadway debut. The story serves as a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” exploring the complex relationship between Elphaba and Glinda before one became the Wicked Witch of the West.
Erivo‘s interpretation brings new dimensions to a character that has become iconic in musical theater. Her background as a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award winner provided a strong foundation for tackling the vocally demanding role, which includes the show-stopping anthem “Defying Gravity.”
Director Jon M. Chu praised Erivo’s commitment, noting her deep understanding of the character’s emotional journey. Her performance goes beyond the physical transformation, capturing the heart of Elphaba’s struggle and resilience.
The film’s exploration of prejudice, acceptance, and finding one’s voice has struck a chord with viewers across generations. Cultural critics have noted how Erivo’s performance adds new layers of meaning to the already rich text, particularly for audiences who rarely see themselves represented in fantasy narratives.
Erivo’s thoughtful approach to the character demonstrates how representation can enhance storytelling, allowing more viewers to connect with Elphaba’s journey. By bringing her own experiences to the role, she has created a version of the character that speaks to contemporary audiences while honoring the beloved source material.
