Following her remarkable portrayal in the play “Wicked“, it became clear to everyone what theater enthusiasts had long recognized: Cynthia Erivo is a shining musical talent. Her performance as Elphaba left audiences spellbound, as evidenced by the glowing reviews for “Wicked” and her 2025 Oscar nomination. Yet, there was controversy surrounding her casting, and now, as she embarks on a fresh musical journey, she encounters criticism once more. Now, she has expressed her views on this issue publicly.
The musical “Wicked: For Good” is scheduled for release at the end of 2025. But before that, audiences can catch Cynthia Erivo starring in another musical this summer. Specifically, she will portray Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl’s production of “Jesus Christ Superstar”.
The actress shared insights about her role and its implications, along with reflecting on how being a queer Black performer has shaped her professional journey. She told Billboard that she generally hasn’t encountered significant resistance in securing roles. However, for this particular part, she experienced “conservative backlash,” as the magazine described it, regarding her casting. In reaction to the criticism, the Tony Award winner responded:
Instead of saying that, you might rephrase it like this: “Why not give it a try? After all, it’s not possible to please everyone. But I’m thrilled to be part of a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl, where I get to showcase my vocal abilities to the fullest. I hope people will attend and discover for themselves, ‘Ah, this is a musical – one of the most colorful and inclusive spaces out there.’
The tale added that Erivo clarified that many of these comments “appear not to grasp the critical perspective of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
In modern theaters, it’s increasingly common to see diverse casting decisions, such as Cynthia Erivo portraying Jesus. One recent instance is Sarah Snook performing all roles in “The Picture of Dorian Grey” on Broadway.
On this particular occasion, it’s not the first instance where the actress from “The Color Purple” has encountered criticism regarding roles she’s been given. Previously, when she was chosen for the role of Elphaba in “Wicked”, there were individuals who voiced doubts about her casting, labeling it a “woke hire”. In response to these criticisms, she shared her thoughts with Elle magazine.
It’s true that discussions regarding my potential selection for this role have included the term ‘woke hire.’ However, it’s important to note that just like everyone else, I went through an audition process. I appreciate having gone through that, as it gave me a chance to prove myself with my qualifications and past work. It feels good knowing that they had the opportunity to verify their decision, which reinforces the fact that I had to put in a lot of effort to secure this role.
Due to the extraordinary box office performance of Wicked, along with the praise it garnered from both critics and audiences, it is clear that Erivo and the entire cast truly deserved the parts they were given.
Additionally, during the period prior to the movie’s premiere, she encountered criticism due to her remarks concerning an AI poster labeled “Wicked.”
Or, more casually:
In the run-up to the film release, she received flak for her comments about a “Wicked” AI poster.
Essentially, Cynthia Erivo has experienced criticism and pushback throughout her career, but she remains unfazed by it, especially with her latest project. In her own words, she’s ready to “battle” as Jesus alongside Adam Lambert as Judas in a promising adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biblical rock opera.
If you’re currently in Los Angeles, catch a performance of Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl on either August 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.
You might catch her on TV this weekend, as she’s hosting the Tony Awards. The event will be broadcast on CBS, or if you have a Paramount+ Premium subscription, it can be streamed on Sunday, June 8 at 8 p.m. ET. Later in November, on the 21st to be exact, you’ll see her again as Elphaba when the movie Wicked: For Good is released in cinemas.
It’s apparent that she’s fully scheduled, occupied, and unfazed by criticism. What’s more, she’s preparing to express her emotions in various settings, such as the Hollywood Bowl, where she will portray Jesus in a performance.
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2025-06-03 20:13