Cynthia Erivo has expressed her disappointment over “deeply hurtful” fan art that obscures her face in promotional materials for the upcoming adaptation of “Wicked.” After sharing some impressive fan art on her Instagram Story, she called out a particular edit where her character, Elphaba, has her face hidden by a witch’s hat while Ariana Grande’s Glinda whispers in her ear. This edited version contrasts sharply with the official poster that features Erivo looking directly at the camera.
Erivo criticized the fan edit as being offensive, comparing it to another computer-generated clip that shows her and Grande in a fight. She also referenced a meme that makes jokes about Elphaba inappropriately. “I am a real life human being… to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful,” she said.
Supporting her, director Jon M. Chu shared Erivo’s statement on his Instagram Story, praising her as his superhero. During a recent presentation at CinemaCon, Erivo spoke about her protective feelings for her character, stating that both she and Grande invested their utmost effort into their roles.
In discussing her high-profile role as Elphaba, Erivo conveyed her hope that audiences would connect with the film’s themes of individuality and acceptance. She also mentioned receiving encouragement from Oscar-winning co-star Michelle Yeoh to consider a future in directing, suggesting she might explore that avenue seriously.
“Wicked” will be released in two parts, with the first film set to hit theaters on November 22, followed by the second installment on November 26, 2025.