Cynthia Erivo Reflects on the Pressure of ‘Wicked’

Cynthia Erivo says starring in the “Wicked” films pushed her through one of the most difficult periods of her career, despite the franchise becoming a global success.

Speaking about the four-year journey, Erivo said she and co-star Ariana Grande were “holding on by threads” while trying to support each other through intense public attention.

The two actresses became the faces of the “Wicked” franchise as Elphaba and Glinda. Their close friendship quickly became a major topic online during the movie’s worldwide press tours.

Friendship Under Public Scrutiny

Erivo said many people doubted the bond she shared with Grande.

“I think that people didn’t really believe that we were actually friends,” she said. “If I’m a friend, then I’m a friend. If I’m not, then I’m not.”

She also criticised how people constantly analyse their behaviour online.

“Lots of psychologists seated at home deciding who we were, what we were going through, what we were doing and why,” Erivo said.

The actress explained that audiences often struggled to separate her from the character she played.

“Because I think sometimes, if I’m honest, people thought I was being myself, even though I was green,” she said.

Singapore Incident and Backlash

During the “Wicked: For Good” press tour in Singapore, Erivo stepped in after a man rushed toward Grande at a public event.

“Nobody moved. Nobody moved,” she recalled. “Get him away! Get him out of here!”

Erivo said the moment was frightening for everyone involved.

“In that moment, we were all terrified,” she added.

Although many praised her reaction, social media users later mocked her appearance and referred to her as Grande’s “bodyguard.”

“I think that we haven’t really come to terms with the insidious nature of how we view Black women,” Erivo said.

She added, “Because that’s what was being made fun of. It was my physique; it was my shape; it was the fact that I was bald.”

Moving Forward After ‘Wicked’

After the emotional toll of the franchise, Erivo returned to the stage in “Dracula” in London. She also hinted that a third “Wicked” film is far from certain.

“It’s too soon to even begin to have the conversation about it,” she said. “It would take a lot to get me back to do it. It has to make sense.”

Despite the challenges, Erivo says the experience changed her life and opened new doors for future roles.