Actress and singer Cynthia Erivo recently voiced her disappointment regarding a viral poster edit for the much-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked. The film is all set to release and will even feature the pop sensation, Ariana Grande. The plot of the film reads as below:
After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining two-part cinematic event this holiday season.
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The edited image, which circulated widely on social media, presented Cynthia Erivo in a manner that she felt was not only unflattering but also misrepresented her character, Elphaba.
Cynthia Erivo’s Reaction to Viral Wicked Poster Edit
The viral image has caught a lot of heat. However, such instances are not entirely new, as fan art takes a life of its own online.
In this case, the poster that was officially released was edited by a fan to make it align better with the Broadway version. In this process, the fan hid Erivo's eyes and added some bold red lipstick.
The incident highlights a significant issue in the entertainment industry. The way actors, especially those of color, are represented in promotional materials has been far from ideal. Erivo expressed that such portrayals can perpetuate stereotypes and undermine the complexity of the characters they are meant to represent.
As a reaction to her depiction, she tweeted:
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 p—- green?' None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us.
She also took the liberty to point out the fact that her eyes were hidden in the viral poster, contrary to the original one.
Our poster is an homage, not an imitation; to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.
Support from Fans and Industry Peers
Regarding the incident and the trolling, a wave of support emerged from fans and industry colleagues alike.
The Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated actress is emblematic of a larger movement pushing for accountability in Hollywood.
The conversations sparked by this incident also underscore the significance of social media as a platform for dialogue. While it can be a space for harmful content, it also allows for immediate responses and discussions about pressing issues, providing a voice to those who may have been marginalized or misrepresented in traditional media narratives.
Wicked is soon to hit the screens on November 22, 2024.
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