Ariana Grande Reacts AI Wicked Posters, Backs Cynthia Erivo

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As a film enthusiast with over three decades of movie-going experience under my belt, I must say that the recent controversy surrounding the fan-made posters for the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked has left me both amused and disheartened.

The highly anticipated release of Wicked is at the center of controversy over fan-made posters, distasteful online jokes, and crude AI-generated memes. Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the movie-musical, recently criticized an edited poster that obscured her face to mimic the original Broadway Playbill. Her co-star Ariana Grande has also shared a candid reaction to the image while highlighting AI’s impact on the entertainment industry.

At the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on October 19, Grande expressed solidarity with Erivo following her criticism of a viral meme. In this meme, Grande’s character Glinda was shown whispering into Elphaba’s ear, with a caption that read: “Is your witch hood green?”. The pop star addressed the escalating discussions about how artificial intelligence is altering our surroundings, stating her views on the matter.

I find AI perplexing at times due to its conflicting nature, it’s like we’re in the midst of a significant transition, something far beyond our comprehension. Yet, I believe fans will have a blast exploring and editing it. I hold my sister Cynthia in high esteem and cherish her deeply. We’re all going through a major period of adjustment.

After a wait of two decades since its highly acclaimed staging, the screen adaptation of the much-loved musical “Wicked”, originally penned by Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel, is finally here.

Under the guidance of renowned director Jon M. Chu (known for “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights”), the movie “Wicked” offers a unique perspective on an unspoken tale. It’s the initial part of a two-part cinematic journey that delves into the early years of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz”, and Glinda the Good Witch, who form an unexpected bond as fellow students at Shiz University in the magical realm of Oz. The film additionally features Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Ethan Slater as Boq, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.

Cynthia Erivo Claps Back at ‘Hurtful’ Wicked Poster

In the initial Playbill for the musical “Wicked”, Elphaba’s face is mostly concealed by her hat, leaving only her mouth and nose visible, while Glinda’s entire right side is shown. However, in Universal’s latest poster for the upcoming film, both witches’ faces are exposed. This shift has led some TikTok users to employ AI editing to mimic Elphaba’s hat covering her eyes. Additionally, they altered the color of her lips from green to red. To maintain consistency with the original artwork, Glinda’s hand was subtly adjusted to appear slightly higher in the new poster.

Although numerous online viewers appreciated the fresh design, Erivo expressed strong disapproval. She criticized the altered posters and memes in an Instagram story. “This is among the wildest and most offensive things I’ve ever seen, comparable to that terrible AI depicting us fighting, comparable to people asking ‘is your p—- green?'” the actress wrote. “Nothing about this is amusing. Nothing about it is charming. It demeans me. It demeans us.” (Paraphrased)

Erivo posted the studio’s authentic poster, emphasizing it was a tribute, not a copycat version. Additionally, she, being a Tony Award recipient, further clarified this point.

The initial post is an ILLUSTRATION. In contrast, I’m a living, breathing human being, directly gazing into the camera lens towards you, the audience. This is done not through spoken words, but through the power of eye contact, as it serves as a means of silent communication.

She went on to say, “Our poster pays tribute, not copies, altering my features or concealing my eyes feels like obliterating me. That’s incredibly painful.

Erivo’s response to the edited poster sparked debate on social media, with some saying she overreacted. One X user wrote, “Girl, they was not erasing you… people just wanted the new poster to match the same energy as the Original Wicked poster… you know, one with her eyes covered and she’s smirking…”. Grande and Chu also shared the official poster on their Instagram stories, with the director calling Erivo his “super-hero.”

The first installment of “Evil” is set to hit theatres on November 22. We’re anticipating the second movie for a release in November 2025.

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2024-10-21 01:04