Cynthia Erivo is revealing the unique elements she brought to her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. In an interview with Variety, the Grammy-winning actress discussed how she made her character more personal and connected to her own identity as a Black woman.
One of the most noticeable changes Erivo made was to Elphaba's iconic hair. Rather than the traditional long, flowing dark waves from the stage musical, Erivo suggested reimagining the hair as micro-braids. “I asked if we could reimagine that hair as micro-braids because I knew you’d still have the movement, and you could still have the length, but there was a texture that was slightly different to what you would normally see on stage,” she explained. Erivo felt the braids created a "direct connection" between herself as a Black woman and Elphaba, a green-skinned character, enhancing the authenticity of her performance.
In addition to the braids, Erivo also incorporated her personal style into the character's appearance. One notable detail was Elphaba’s long nails, which mirror Erivo’s own. She said, “I was doing the research for this character, and I noticed that the original Wicked Witch had nails. I wanted a progression. How she grows as a witch and a woman. Some people wear makeup, I always have my nails done. It’s like another extended way of expressing myself.”
As Elphaba’s character evolves throughout the film, her nails also change. Erivo’s idea for the nails to get darker and longer as Elphaba’s powers grow was brought to life by makeup and hair designer Frances Hannon. This was an important visual detail for Erivo, symbolizing Elphaba’s transformation.
Erivo, who is only the second Black woman to play the Wicked Witch of the West after Alexia Khadime in the West End, is deeply invested in making her portrayal resonate with audiences, especially those who may have felt like outsiders. “I hope my portrayal of Elphaba is a bit of a love letter to everyone who feels different, who feels out of place, to all of the Black women who have walked into rooms and felt like they haven’t been welcomed,” she shared.
Elphaba’s reimagining is more than just a role for Erivo; it’s a personal statement about embracing individuality and empowering others who may feel they don’t belong. “I am really glad to be the conduit through which this character has been brought to the world,” she said.Through her thoughtful and intentional decisions, Erivo has created a version of Elphaba that reflects both her own identity and the universal themes of acceptance and transformation in Wicked.
Source: People Magazine