Cynthia Erivo, who’s gearing up to take on the iconic role of Elphaba in the highly anticipated Wicked movie, recently called out an altered fan-made poster that’s been circulating online. She shared her frustration with the altered version on her Instagram stories, where she explained how the changes affected her. In her words, the edited version was "the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen."
Erivo’s Reaction to the Altered Poster
On October 16, Erivo took to Instagram to express her thoughts about the fan-edited artwork, which transformed the official movie poster in ways she found both unsettling and offensive. The original poster, first released by Universal Pictures on October 9, showcases Erivo’s Elphaba with her striking green lips and a fierce, direct gaze, making an immediate connection with viewers. However, the altered version hides her eyes with the brim of her hat, alters her mouth into an upward smirk, and changes her lips to a bold red. In contrast, Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, remains mostly untouched, except for her hand being adjusted to obscure a bit more of her face.
In her Instagram story, Erivo voiced her disappointment, emphasizing that the fan-edited poster took away a vital part of her portrayal. She felt that covering her eyes was not just a visual tweak but something more personal. As Erivo put it, “To edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me.” She continued, explaining how the original look was a purposeful decision, noting that “without words we communicate with our eyes.” This simple yet profound connection with the audience is, to Erivo, part of why she chose to look straight into the camera in the original movie poster.
The Importance of the Original Broadway Poster
The Broadway Wicked poster, first introduced in 2003, became iconic in its own right. It portrayed Glinda leaning in to whisper something to Elphaba, whose eyes were concealed by her hat, a red-lipped smirk accentuating her face. This stylized look represented an artistic choice—an illustration rather than a photo—which symbolized both characters’ dynamic and the mystery surrounding Elphaba. Universal’s Wicked movie poster, however, aimed to retain the homage while grounding it in a more realistic portrayal.
Erivo felt that the fan-edited version missed the mark, distorting the homage to Broadway's Wicked and losing the original film’s intent. She reiterated that “our poster is a homage, not an imitation,” a nuanced distinction that the fan edit didn’t respect. For Erivo, this wasn’t just about visual preferences but about respecting her portrayal and presence in the movie.
Support from Wicked’s Cast and Crew
After Erivo posted her reaction, she received public support from the film's director, Jon M. Chu, who reshared her post on his own Instagram story. Chu's gesture was a clear sign of solidarity, underscoring his shared commitment to the integrity of the movie’s visuals and Erivo’s artistic decisions. In addition to Chu, Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, also showed her support during a conversation with Variety at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on October 19. Grande acknowledged the complexities surrounding AI and fan edits, saying, "This is something that is so much bigger than us, and the fans are going to have fun and make their edits." While acknowledging fans’ enthusiasm, Grande also expressed her respect for Erivo, describing it as a "big adjustment period."
Fan Reactions: Mixed Opinions on the Edited Poster
The fan response to Erivo’s reaction to the poster was polarized. Some fans took her side, understanding her frustration and pointing out that the changes held deeper implications. One user on X (formerly Twitter) was especially vocal, arguing that Wicked’s themes, which focus on prejudice and acceptance, made the alterations feel insensitive. “For a show that’s all about prejudice and the color of a young woman’s skin, the racism couldn’t be any clearer,” they wrote, noting the stark contrast between how Erivo and Grande were depicted in the altered image.
Another supporter pointed out that altering a Black woman’s appearance in such a significant way, while leaving her co-star mostly untouched, sends a problematic message. For some, the change felt like it reduced Erivo’s presence in the image, making her character appear secondary or less powerful.
However, not everyone shared this perspective. Some fans believed the edit was a respectful nod to the Broadway poster, which featured a similar pose with Elphaba’s eyes hidden. One commenter on X mentioned, “Girl, they was not erasing you… people just wanted the new poster to match the same energy as the Original Wicked poster.” Another person remarked, "Oh good grief. Tell me you’ve never seen Wicked The Broadway Musical poster without telling me," expressing frustration over the backlash.
Erivo’s Additional Response at the CFDA Awards
Erivo addressed the fan-edit situation further at the 2024 CFDA Awards on October 28, where she was asked about her Instagram response. When asked about being labeled a "clapback queen" for her Instagram posts, Erivo clarified that she didn’t view her response as a “clapback” per se. Instead, she felt it was more about protecting her role and the character of Elphaba.
As she explained to Entertainment Tonight, "It wasn’t necessarily a clapback." Rather, she described the reaction as a natural response driven by her passion for her role and the story of Wicked. “I am passionate about it, and I know that the fans are passionate about it, and I think for me it was just a human moment of wanting to protect little Elphaba,” she said.
The Broader Impact of Fan Edits and AI in Art
This situation also raises bigger questions about fan edits and AI’s role in art, especially when it comes to highly anticipated films like Wicked. Fans are undeniably excited, and they often express that excitement by creating their own versions of official artwork. While some edits are harmless, others, as Erivo’s experience shows, can alter the core meaning of an image in ways that impact the actors and creators involved.
For Erivo, the fan-edit wasn’t simply about artistic preference. It was a matter of respect, both for her as an actor and for the original intention behind the poster. In the age of AI and fan-made content, this instance reveals the fine line between celebrating a beloved story and misrepresenting it.
Erivo’s response reflects the significance of these artistic choices and reminds fans that behind every beloved character is an actor dedicated to their portrayal. The poster edit controversy has sparked thoughtful conversations about fan art, artistic intent, and the importance of accurate representation, especially in a film as culturally significant as Wicked.
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