Cynthia Erivo has expressed her disappointment over fan art that she finds “deeply hurtful,” particularly an edited promotional image for the upcoming adaptation of “Wicked” that obscures her face.
On Wednesday, Erivo took to her Instagram Story to share her thoughts after posting impressive fan illustrations. She was troubled by a fan edit that showcases Ariana Grande’s character, Glinda, whispering to her character, Elphaba, while Erivo’s face is hidden by her witch hat. Unlike the original poster, where Erivo looks directly at the viewer, the altered version resembles Broadway artwork.
“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen equal to that awful AI of us fighting… None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us,” Erivo wrote alongside the edited image.
Erivo referred to an AI-generated video that shows her and Grande’s characters in a mock fight, as well as another meme that pokes fun at Elphaba’s anatomy. She emphasized that the original poster is an illustration, while she is a real person who chose to connect with the audience through her gaze. “To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful,” she added.
To underscore her point, Erivo posted the actual film poster as a reminder. Director Jon M. Chu showed his support by sharing Erivo’s statement and praising her on his Instagram Story.
At CinemaCon in April, Erivo highlighted the significance of the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, stating that they have been pivotal in their lives. Grande shared their commitment to the roles and their dedication to the film.
Earlier this year, Erivo voiced her hopes for audiences to see themselves in the film and to appreciate the concept of not fitting in. “I loved playing Elphaba. I felt very protective of her,” she remarked.
Additionally, Erivo hinted at the possibility of directing in the future, inspired by her Oscar-winning co-star, Michelle Yeoh. Yeoh encouraged her to consider directing, prompting Erivo to reflect on the direction of her career.
In “Wicked,” Elphaba, portrayed by Erivo, is not yet the Wicked Witch of the West; she navigates life at Shiz University alongside Glinda, played by Grande. Their friendship develops even as Elphaba grapples with her identity as a social misfit due to her green skin. The story unfolds over two major films, with the first “Wicked” movie set for release on November 22, and the sequel scheduled for November 26, 2025.