Cynthia Erivo seems to be subtly throwing shade at the competition for the role of Glinda in the Wicked movie, expressing clear gratitude that Ariana Grande landed the part.
The Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning actress is set to play Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of the iconic musical. Meanwhile, Grande, who’s been a longtime fan of the musical, will step into the sparkling shoes of Glinda. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Cynthia and Ariana were asked about their first reactions to each other’s casting in the highly anticipated film.
“Absolutely no surprise whatsoever,” Cynthia responded, showing her confidence in Grande’s casting. Ariana chimed in with an equally supportive response, saying, “I said, ‘Thank God.’” Then, Cynthia added a comment that got Ariana a bit flustered: “Thank goodness, because it was not the two ladies that I was auditioning with.”
Ariana, taken aback, replied with an “Oh my God!” showing her surprise at Cynthia’s honesty. It seems Cynthia was less than thrilled with the other Glinda contenders she auditioned alongside, making her all the more appreciative that Grande was chosen.
There’s some insight into the other actresses who went for the Glinda role, although none were ultimately selected for the part. However, Cynthia didn’t just talk about others; she opened up about her own journey to this major role as Elphaba and the unique challenges she’s faced along the way.
Reflecting on the casting process, Cynthia revealed her doubts about even being considered for the role, touching on the history of casting Black actresses in Wicked. “Historically, Black women have never really been seen for the role,” she shared. “If they have, they haven’t gotten the role, and if they do, they usually are the alternate or first cover.”
Her remarks highlight an ongoing issue of representation and inclusivity in theatre and film, especially in iconic roles like those in Wicked. Cynthia mentioned one woman who played Elphaba in London’s West End but was only cast once and never returned to the role. “There’s only one woman I know on record that has done it on the West End, and she did it once and has never been brought back. So I just didn’t think they were looking for me,” she admitted.
Her remarks underscore the significance of her casting in Wicked. Not only is it a win for Cynthia personally, but it’s also a breakthrough moment for the representation of Black women in major, traditionally white roles in musical theatre.
With Erivo and Grande teaming up, fans are eager to see what this powerhouse duo will bring to Wicked’s beloved characters.
