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Erivo's Wicked Role: Race Barriers Broken
19 Nov
Summary
- Cynthia Erivo initially doubted playing Elphaba due to lack of Black representation.
- A Black actress had not played Elphaba full-time on Broadway until March 2025.
- The Wicked movie adaptation stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda.
Cynthia Erivo, poised to portray Elphaba in the highly anticipated Wicked films, shared her personal reservations about taking on the iconic role. Erivo explained that the historical absence of Black actresses in full-time Elphaba roles on Broadway initially led her to question if she was the right fit.
Her doubts stemmed from the Broadway production largely featuring white actors in the lead role until Lencia Kebede's casting in March 2025. This lack of prior representation made the part seem unattainable for someone like herself, despite her considerable talent and vocal prowess.
The Wicked stage production has recently embraced greater diversity, casting Brittney Johnson as the first Black Glinda in 2022 and featuring trans actress Alexandra Billings. These inclusive steps reflect a broader movement towards diverse representation in musical theater.
