Cynthia Erivo Stands Her Ground: Actress Slams Edited “Wicked” Poster as “Deeply Hurtful”

The excitement surrounding the highly anticipated “Wicked” film adaptation has taken an unexpected turn, as lead actress Cynthia Erivo forcefully called out an edited version of the movie’s official poster, labeling it the “wildest, most offensive thing I have seen.”

Erivo, who will be bringing the iconic role of Elphaba to life on the big screen, took to Instagram to voice her outrage over a fan-created poster that more closely resembled the iconic imagery of the original Broadway musical. The edited version obscures Elphaba’s face, revealing only her piercing green eyes beneath the brim of her signature black hat.

“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen, equal to that awful AI of us fighting, equal to people posing the question ‘is your ***** green,'” Erivo wrote in a scathing Instagram story. “None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us.”

The Tony-winning actress went on to explain the significance of the film’s official poster, which features her face in full view, looking directly at the camera. “The original poster is an illusion,” she stated. She said, “I am a real-life human being who chose to look directly into the camera at you, the viewer… because, without words, we communicate with our eyes.”

Erivo’s impassioned response underscores the deeper implications behind the edited poster, which she believes erases her very presence and identity as the actress bringing Elphaba to life. “Our poster is an homage, not an imitation; to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. That is deeply hurtful, she declared.

The backlash against the edited poster comes amidst a growing trend of fan-created content that has drawn the ire of some actors and filmmakers. Erivo specifically called out an “awful AI” video that depicted her and co-star Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, in a fictional fight—a scenario she found just as “offensive” as the doctored poster.

“None of this is funny. None of it is cute,” Erivo asserted, making it clear that such content not only degrades her but the entire “Wicked” production.

In a show of solidarity, Grande and director Jon M. Chu both reposted the official “Wicked” movie poster on their respective Instagram stories, with Chu referring to Erivo as “(his) superhero.”

The heated exchange underscores the delicate balance between fan engagement and respectful creative interpretation. While enthusiastic fans may view the edited poster as a nostalgic homage to the Broadway original, Erivo’s forceful response serves as a stark reminder that such creative liberties can carry unintended consequences.

As the anticipation for “Wicked” continues to build, Erivo’s stand against the edited poster has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of honoring the vision and identity of the actors who breathe life into beloved characters. In an age where fan art and memes have become ubiquitous, her message resonates as a powerful assertion of artistic integrity and personal autonomy.

“The original poster is an illusion. I am a real-life human being,” Erivo declared, underscoring the need for fans to recognize the humanity behind the characters they revere.

Ultimately, Erivo’s impassioned response serves as a rallying cry for the entertainment industry to foster an environment that respects the creative contributions of its diverse talents. As the world eagerly awaits the release of “Wicked,” the actress’s unwavering stance reminds us that the true magic of storytelling lies in the authentic voices that bring it to life.