2 weeks ago
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Cynthia Erivo has admitted that she probably should have called a friend instead of berating a fan's 'offensive' remaking of the Wicked poster.
Earlier this month, the Elphaba actress, 37, blasted a 'deeply hurtful' edited poster for 'erasing' her after her eyes were removed and her face tweaked, while her costar, Ariana Grande, remained unedited.
At the time, Cynthia scolded the artwork in a scathing social media post, but now she's reassessing her actions.
Speaking on the red carpet at Monday's CFDA Awards, she laughed off her reaction while insisting it 'wasn't necessarily a clapback.'
'I think I'm really protective of the role,' she told Entertainment Tonight.
Cynthia Erivo has admitted that she should have called a friend instead of berating a fan's 'offensive' Wicked poster
The original version of the film poster is seen on the left as the edited version, which upset the talented actress, is on the right
'I'm passionate about it, and I know that the fans are passionate about it.'
Cynthia went on to add to the publication that it was 'a human moment of wanting to protect Elphaba,' adding: 'I probably should've called my friends, but it's fine.'
Initially, the actress took to her Instagram Story to repost the edited version of the unveiled poster for her new film.
She wrote: 'This is the wildest, most offensive thig I have seen.
'The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION. I am a real-life human being, who chose to look right down the barrel of the camera to you, the viewer… because, without words we communicate with our eyes.'
The talented actress then went on to describe the differences between the original musical and the theatrical version.
'Our poster is an homage not an imitation,' she said, before adding: 'To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me. And that is just deeply hurtful.... '
She then went shared an image of the official Wicked poster.
Cynthia had branded the poster 'deeply hurtful' after her eyes and face were edited
Defending her reaction, Cynthia said she is 'passionate' about the film and Elphaba
'Let me put this right here,' Cynthia wrote above the image, alongside two green hearts. 'To remind you and cleanse your palette. '
Ariana later weighed in on the controversy over fan memes of the Wicked poster.
Speaking to Variety at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala in Los Angeles, she defended Cynthia's position as she criticized the use of AI as 'conflicting and troublesome.'
She said: 'I think it's very complicated because I find AI so conflicting and troublesome sometimes, but I think it's just kind of such a massive adjustment period.
'This is something that is such so much bigger than us and the fans are gonna have fun and make their edits.'
Asked if memes can sometimes go too far, she added: 'I think so. And I have so much respect for my sister, Cynthia, and I love her so much.
'It's just a big adjustment period. It's so much stimulation about something that's so much bigger than us.'
Wicked is about an unlikely friendship that emerges between Elphaba and Glinda, two clashing witches in the magical land of Oz.
Ariana later weighed in on the controversy over fan memes of the Wicked poster
Elphaba is wrongfully cast as a wicked witch as she seeks to expose the fraudulent, corrupt Wizard who rules the land.
Wicked is the origin story of 'a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West.'
It serves as a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, exploring the narrative before Dorothy's arrival and delving into the former friendship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda.
The cast also includes Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Bowen Yang, Bronwyn James, Keala Settle, Peter Dinklage, Aaron Teoh, Grecia de la Paz, Colin Michael Carmichael, Adam James, and Andy Nyman.
The first premiere is due to take place later this week in Sydney, Australia on November 3.
Wicked is scheduled for release on November 27, and then a direct sequel, Wicked Part Two, will follow a year later.
English (US) ·