‘This Is The Wildest, Most Offensive Thing I Have Seen’: Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Fan Edits Of Poster

‘This Is The Wildest, Most Offensive Thing I Have Seen’: Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Fan Edits Of Poster

As a seasoned gamer and theater enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersing myself in both virtual worlds and real-life performances, I can wholeheartedly empathize with Cynthia Erivo‘s sentiments regarding the new Wicked movie poster. It’s disheartening to see an iconic character like Elphaba, whom I admire for her strength and resilience, being reduced to a mere silhouette in the latest adaptation of the poster.


The musical “Wicked” is currently one of the most beloved shows in recent years, which makes its upcoming movie adaptation one of the most eagerly awaited films slated for 2024. The excitement surrounding the project reached new heights when a brand-new Wicked movie poster, reminiscent of the iconic stage musical poster, was unveiled. However, some fans’ reactions to this poster have left lead actress Cynthia Erivo feeling quite distressed.

The poster in question famously shows Glinda, played in the Wicked cast by Ariana Grande, whispering something in the ear of Elphaba, portrayed by Erivo. Some fans have taken to editing the live-action poster to make it even more like the original version, but the actress took to Instagram to make it clear she doesn’t find the decision to change her face the least bit funny. She said…

As a lifelong advocate for equality and respect, I find this behavior to be deeply disturbing and offensive. Growing up, I was always taught that words have power, and it saddens me to see such degrading and disrespectful language being used in this manner. This type of conduct does not amuse me or anyone else with a sense of decency. Instead, it diminishes us all by promoting intolerance and ignorance. We should strive for understanding and empathy, not to belittle one another based on arbitrary factors such as skin color or appearance. Let’s work towards creating a world where everyone is valued and respected.

The primary distinction between the initial and movie posters lies in the portrayal of Elphaba: In the original, she’s smirking with her distinctive black hat covering her eyes, while in the film poster, Cynthia Erivo offers a more serious gaze towards the viewer. Some fans might have thought they were aiming for authenticity, but Erivo highlights that altering her visage to be less noticeable isn’t particularly appealing.

A key distinction is that the poster for the stage musical wasn’t a real-life image, instead, it was an illustration, not a picture featuring the original Elphaba, Idina Menzel. The intention behind the movie poster was to honor the musical rather than replicate it. While they could have replicated it completely, leaving out the actress’s eyes serves as a deliberate departure, as that element is significant in maintaining the unique essence of this representation. She went on to explain…

The original creator is a DRAWING, but I, in contrast, am a living, breathing individual. I chose to gaze directly into the camera lens, as our eyes can convey messages even without words. Our artwork is a tribute, not a copy, and altering my face or concealing my eyes feels like it’s erasing my identity. And that’s incredibly painful.

After expressing her disappointment, Cynthia Erivo shared a glance at the revised poster for the upcoming Wicked film, revealing the intended message behind its design.

‘This Is The Wildest, Most Offensive Thing I Have Seen’: Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Fan Edits Of Poster

Given that the film adaptation of “Wicked” is being divided into two parts, and the first movie will approximately match the length of the entire stage play, it’s safe to assume that the film won’t strictly follow the original material in all its forms, including posters.

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2024-10-16 22:07