Cynthia Erivo has finally addressed the vitriol she faced during the Wicked press tour, calling out the insidious nature of how Black women are viewed. In a recent interview with Variety, the actress, 39, declined to sing the Gravity riff, stating she has talked about Wicked for two years and wants to move on. Her polite refusal came after months of toxic online commentary that turned a joyous career moment into a painful memory.
The Singapore Incident
Erivo also spoke about the moment she rushed to protect co-star Ariana Grande during a red-carpet premiere in Singapore, where a prankster ambushed them. While many saw her actions as heroic, others accused her of overreacting, perpetuating stereotypes of the strong Black woman. Erivo explained that her physique, bald head, and appearance were mocked, leading to assumptions that she was controlling or protective because she was bigger than Grande. She questioned whether the reaction would have been the same if the roles were reversed.
Misogynoir at Play
The narrative around Erivo became so toxic that she had to tune out. She described the experience as misogynoir—a combination of racism and misogyny directed at Black women. Erivo noted that while the ambusher targeted Grande, few considered Erivo's own safety. Trolls also fueled rumors of a secret romance between the two stars, with the conversation disproportionately focused on Erivo.
Erivo's willingness to speak out is refreshing, as she acknowledges that some will dismiss her claims. Yet she insists that the issue is real. As a Black British talent, she hopes the pain from the Wicked era does not dull her light, but her reluctance to discuss it further suggests the wounds still run deep.
