Movies
Cynthia Erivo on Wicked, Ariana Grande and Protecting Her Peace
Cynthia Erivo is the cover star of Variety’s Power of Women U.K. issue, and in the accompanying profile, the award-winning actor, singer and performer reflects on the whirlwind of the past few years.
Following the global success of Wicked and its sequel Wicked: For Good, Cynthia speaks candidly about navigating an intense press cycle, her friendship with Ariana Grande, the public’s fascination with their bond and the darker side of online commentary. The British-Nigerian star also opens up about returning to the West End in her one-woman production of Dracula, where she plays 23 characters across a two-hour performance.
Described in the profile as composed, thoughtful and protective of her inner world, Cynthia reflects on what it meant to play Elphaba, the emotional toll of the Wicked phenomenon and why she felt her humanity was misunderstood during the film’s promotional run.
See highlights from the interview below:
On her friendship with Ariana Grande
Cynthia says she and Ariana made a deliberate choice early on to protect and nurture their relationship while filming and promoting Wicked. Despite public speculation, Cynthia says their friendship is real and that they still speak regularly.
On people confusing her with Elphaba
Cynthia reflects on how audiences sometimes seemed to blur the line between her and the character she played. She notes that embodying a role does not mean revealing every part of herself, adding that part of the work is disappearing into someone else.
On stepping back from Oscar campaigning
After the intensity of the press tour and the online backlash, Cynthia admits that she felt emotionally drained. She says the experience made her less willing to put herself through another demanding awards-season cycle.
On returning to the stage with Dracula
Cynthia describes her West End return as a grounding experience after the storm of Wicked. In Dracula, she performs approximately 20,000 words of dialogue and plays 23 characters, a challenge that she describes as both exhausting and energising.
On working with Jonathan Bailey
Cynthia also speaks warmly about Jonathan Bailey, her Wicked co-star, and the significance of two queer actors playing a major romantic pairing in a blockbuster film. She describes the experience as special, especially because audiences fully invested in the love story.
Read the full profile in Variety.
Credits
Styling: @jasonbolden
Styling assistant: Abby White
Make Up Artist: @joyadenuga / Forward Artists
Photographs: @zoemcconnell
Interview with: @kjyossman
Production: Joel Gilgallon / @joonrepresents
Outfit: @balenciaga, @christianlouboutin, @marli
Location: @hotelcaferoyal
