Cynthia Erivo Defends Her Portrayal of Elphaba in "Wicked" Adaptation

Cynthia Erivo, the acclaimed actress set to star as Elphaba in the upcoming "Wicked" film adaptation, has spoken out against the various memes and fan-made edits of the movie's official poster. Erivo expressed her deep hurt and offense at the attempts to "erase" her involvement and "degrade" her portrayal of the iconic green witch.

Erivo Stands Firm in the Face of Disrespectful Memes and Edits

Defending the Official Poster

Erivo made it clear that the official "Wicked" poster is an "homage, not an imitation" to the original musical's iconic imagery. She took issue with fans editing the poster to obscure her face and eyes, stating that this was an act of erasure that deeply hurt her. Erivo emphasized that her involvement in the film is an integral part of the project, and attempts to diminish or hide her contribution are unacceptable.

The actress expressed her outrage at the "wildest, most offensive thing" she had seen in response to the official poster. She made it known that the fan-made edits were not "funny" or "cute," but rather degraded both her and her co-star Ariana Grande, who is portraying Glinda. Erivo's strong stance on this issue underscores her commitment to honoring the legacy of "Wicked" and ensuring that her portrayal of Elphaba is given the respect and recognition it deserves.

Condemning Disrespectful Memes and Jokes

Erivo's defense of her role in "Wicked" extended beyond the poster edits, as she also called out other memes and online content that she found deeply offensive. This included a crude joke about Elphaba's anatomy and an AI-generated video depicting a fight between Erivo and Grande's characters.

The actress made it clear that none of these memes or jokes were acceptable, as they "degrade" her and her co-star. Erivo's unwavering stance on this issue highlights her determination to protect the integrity of the "Wicked" franchise and ensure that her performance as Elphaba is not diminished or disrespected in any way.

Garnering Support from the "Wicked" Team

Erivo's defense of her role in "Wicked" has been met with support from her co-star Ariana Grande and the film's director, Jon M. Chu. Both Grande and Chu re-shared the official poster on their Instagram stories, with Chu expressing his admiration for Erivo, calling her his "superhero."

This show of solidarity from the "Wicked" team underscores the importance of Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba and the respect she deserves. The actress's willingness to speak out against the disrespectful memes and edits demonstrates her commitment to honoring the legacy of the beloved musical and ensuring that her performance is given the recognition it deserves.

Anticipation and Speculation Surrounding the "Wicked" Adaptation

The run-up to the highly anticipated premiere of "Wicked" has been marked by a wide range of fan reactions, including jokes, memes, and speculation about the film's approach. Some fans have questioned why the trailers seem to obscure the fact that the film is a musical and that it will be the first part of a planned duology.

Despite the various fan responses, Erivo's unwavering defense of her role as Elphaba serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting the creative vision and integrity of the "Wicked" adaptation. As the film's release date approaches, it will be interesting to see how Erivo's portrayal of the iconic green witch is received by audiences and how the overall adaptation is perceived by fans of the beloved musical.