Cynthia Erivo stars in Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, from the 2003 Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The characters are the same as those of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum, published in 1900 with illustrations by William Wallace Denslow, and seen in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz with Judy Garland, but reinterpreted in a revisionist key, to tell how Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande), who then transform into the Evil Witch of the West and the Good Witch of the South, had become friends at the university, despite their differences.
Cynthia Erivo in WICKED (c) Universal Studios
We interview the famous British singer and actress.
In what way do you recognize yourself in Elphaba, a girl born with emerald green skin?
I was surprised to discover that there’s a lot of connective tissue between me and her and the lives that we live, on a personal level, because I also have a father and a younger sister, so I understand how she feels. But in general, because I’m a queer black woman, there’s a lot of parallels, I know what it’s like to be different and to feel marginalized. I had to realize that and find ways to fully accept who I am and use it as my power in a world that is not built for people like me and leaves us no room. So all these aspects of Elphaba moved me because I see them in myself.
Since you have often spoken openly about the need for representation and inclusion of diversity, what do you hope to communicate with this character?
I think it speaks eloquently to anyone who has felt discriminated against and outside the acceptable community. This situation resonates profoundly for me because I see it every day. It is true that I am in a more privileged position, but also for me there are fields that I cannot access as easily as others. This character allows me to explore the subject in an easy-to-understand way, which gives people who are not familiar with this experience the chance to see the harm and suffering it causes, and perhaps change their mind about the way they treat others.
Do you think Wicked‘s message is useful and important at this political moment?
I hope that people like Ephalba and like Glinda will recognize each other and find ways to celebrate their friendship despite their differences, and that, if they encounter difficulties, this film will allow them to have conversations to solve them, to change their minds, to behave differently, to have more empathy for people who are not exactly like them, because they will always find similarities. If these two young women have managed to become friends, it is very likely that thousands and hopefully millions of other people will be able to do the same.
We must warn you that this film is the first part and we will have to wait another year to see the second part and understand the entire plot, so for now we do not reveal spoilers, if you have not seen the musical or read the book. See you again in November 2025.
Written for Voilà Italy Facebook and Instagram
Read here original Italian text