Cynthia Erivo isn’t holding back her frustration with fans after they altered the movie poster for her upcoming film, “Wicked”. The adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical has already stirred excitement, but when fans took the liberty of tweaking the official movie poster, Erivo made it clear that she didn’t find it flattering.
The original movie poster features Erivo as Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West), alongside Ariana Grande as Glinda. It pays homage to the iconic Broadway image, where Glinda whispers into Elphaba’s ear while her signature witch hat casts a shadow over her eyes. However, in the film version, Erivo’s face is fully visible, giving fans a closer look at the actress in character.
Apparently, some “Wicked” enthusiasts wanted the movie poster to match the original Broadway version more closely, so they Photoshopped a version where Erivo’s eyes were hidden beneath her hat, adding red lipstick for a theatrical touch. But this was not well-received by the actress.
She took to Instagram, calling the alterations “offensive” and expressing deep hurt over how the changes reduced her to something less human.
“This is the wildest, most offensive thing I have seen,” Erivo shared in her Instagram stories, alongside the altered image. Comparing the poster edits to the viral AI video of Elphaba and Glinda in a fabricated fight, she added, “None of this is funny… It degrades me. It degrades us.”
Erivo also took issue with a meme that’s been floating around since the film’s announcement—one that jokingly questions whether Elphaba’s skin is green everywhere.
The actress didn’t hold back in explaining how such jokes and edits make her feel less respected as a person, saying, “I am a real life human being… to edit my face and hide my eyes is to erase me.”
This controversy arises as “Wicked” prepares for its big-screen debut, with the first part slated for release on November 22. The film, based on the Broadway musical, which itself is adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel, tells the story of the two witches—Elphaba and Glinda—before Dorothy ever set foot in Oz.
The stage version has become a cultural phenomenon since its premiere, breaking records and winning awards, while amassing over a billion dollars in revenue during its long-running success.
For Erivo, this film is not just another role. Her performance is personal, and she wants it to be honored as such. Altering the poster, in her eyes, compromises the creative choices made and undermines the human connection she seeks to create with the audience. While fan engagement is often celebrated, this moment is a reminder that not every alteration or joke will land well, especially when it crosses the line into something deeply personal.
