Cynthia Erivo Talks About Being Known as a “Wore Hire” and How Long It Took Her to Put On Her “Wicked” Makeup

Cynthia Erivo shared some intriguing details about her transformation into Elphaba for the Wicked movie adaptation. It took about two hours and 45 minutes for her to apply the green makeup for her face, neck, and hands. If the full-body makeup was required, the process extended to around four hours.

Addressing the criticism that she was a “woke hire” for the role, Erivo firmly stated that she had to audition like everyone else, emphasizing that she has the credentials and has worked hard for the role. This, she believes, makes her feel even more confident about the decision.

Erivo also spoke about her deep friendship with co-star Ariana Grande, revealing that they spend hours FaceTiming and having meaningful conversations.

Regarding her connection to the character of Elphaba, Erivo explained how she embraced her own experience as someone who feels like an “other” and wanted to bring that to the role. The decision to give Elphaba braids and long nails, for instance, reflected Erivo’s personal experience as a Black woman, connecting her more deeply to the character’s otherness. Erivo highlighted that Elphaba’s story resonates with anyone who feels different, whether due to race, sexuality, or any form of uniqueness.

Exciting news about Wicked: Part Two is also in the works, but more details are yet to be revealed!