Cynthia Erivo Calls Fan Edits of 'Wicked' Movie Poster "Deeply Hurtful" and "Degrading"

Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba in the highly anticipated "Wicked" movie adaptation, has expressed strong disapproval over fan-made edits of the film’s poster. These alterations, which were inspired by the original stage musical's logo, have led Erivo to speak out, saying they diminish her role in the project.

17 October 2024 - 17:44

Earlier in October, some fans took it upon themselves to modify the latest poster for the film, which features Ariana Grande as Glinda whispering into Erivo's Elphaba, looking ahead with a serious expression. The altered version of the poster resembles the musical's iconic imagery, where Glinda cups her hand to Elphaba’s ear, as the green-skinned witch smirks with her eyes hidden beneath a black, pointed hat.

While some fans preferred this reimagined version over the official one, claiming it better captured the musical’s essence, Erivo found it offensive. In an Instagram story shared on Wednesday, the actress voiced her frustration, calling the fan edits “the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen.”

“Our poster is an homage, not an imitation,” Erivo wrote. “To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me, and that is deeply hurtful.”

She also addressed other memes and online content that have circulated, including one that made an inappropriate joke about Elphaba’s appearance and an AI-generated video that depicted a fight between Erivo and Grande. “None of this is funny. None of this is cute,” she continued. “It degrades me. It degrades us.”

Erivo, along with Ariana Grande and "Wicked" director Jon M. Chu, reposted the official film poster to their Instagram stories in response. Chu expressed support for Erivo, calling her his “superhero.”

As the release date for the long-awaited “Wicked” movie draws near, the film has sparked a wide range of reactions from fans, from playful memes to critical discussions. Some fans have also questioned why the trailers seem to downplay the film’s musical nature and the fact that it is only the first of two planned movies. The first part, set to hit theaters on November 22, will conclude with the show-stopping number “Defying Gravity.” The second film is slated for release in November 2025.
Cynthia Erivo, star of the upcoming “Wicked” film, criticized fan-made edits of the movie’s poster, calling them offensive and degrading. Erivo expressed frustration over how the changes erase her presence in the project, sparking conversations ahead of the film’s November release.