When Cynthia Erivo entered a meeting room at the Guardian’s London offices, I realized there was more to learn about Wicked than I thought. She seemed out of place in the neutral surroundings, almost like a princess on an escalator, exuding a vibrancy that was hard to ignore. Erivo’s recent Oscar nomination for best actress in Wicked, along with the film’s record-breaking success, highlighted just how magnetic the production was, especially among teenage girls.
I was familiar with details like the braids for the wig worn by Erivo’s character, Elphaba, being made by a woman in north London, and the matching tattoos she shares with co-star Ariana Grande. However, what I didn’t know was how perfectly suited Erivo was for the role. Her personal connection to Elphaba’s character, despite outward differences, added depth to her portrayal and resonated with audiences.
Erivo’s journey from a young girl in south London to a Primetime Emmy-nominated actress is filled with determination and talent. Despite facing obstacles like snobbery and racism, she pursued her passion for music and acting, eventually finding success on Broadway and in acclaimed film and television roles. Her resilience and commitment to her craft have solidified her status as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.
She suggested that I consider attending Rada. I had never heard of drama school before today, and now she wants me to go to a place that starts with ‚Royal Academy.‘
In 2007, drama schools, especially the prestigious ones, were known for being extremely challenging. This was part of the training, a bit of an actorly tradition of breaking down the ego, and a way to prepare students for the harsh realities of the performance world, where rejection is common for reasons as trivial as your appearance or as profound as your essence.
However, in 2020, when the Black Lives Matter movement exposed racism within British institutions, Rada, among others, faced accusations of hypocrisy. Former students spoke out against the lack of inclusivity and the mistreatment they experienced. When Erivo and David Harewood were appointed as vice-president and president in 2024, they became the first actors of color to hold those positions in the school’s 120-year history.
In 2020, Rada publicly acknowledged its institutional racism. Erivo doesn’t explicitly describe her time there as racist, but from her accounts, it’s clear that the environment was not only racist but also classist.
Before starting at Rada, Erivo had the opportunity to work as a backing singer for Westlife, which would have paid off her debts. However, she was turned down because it meant missing the first two weeks of the course. This incident highlighted a lack of understanding from the school’s administration towards students from different backgrounds.
Throughout her time at Rada, Erivo faced challenges and discrimination, which resulted in her being overlooked for major roles in student productions. Despite these setbacks, she persevered, eventually staging her own cabaret and attracting the attention of an agent.
Erivo credits her time at Rada for providing her with valuable training. Her acting teacher, Dee Cannon, helped her discover her strengths and challenged stereotypes about black women in the industry.
While Erivo’s breakthrough in British TV came early on in Chewing Gum, her career took off in musical theatre with roles in prestigious productions like The Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Sister Act. Her defining role as Celie in The Color Purple on Broadway solidified her reputation as a powerhouse performer.
Erivo’s transition to film was marked by roles in major productions such as Bad Times at the El Royale and Harriet, where she portrayed Harriet Tubman. However, her role in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked represents a significant shift to mainstream recognition and fame.
Her friendship with Ariana Grande, who co-stars in Wicked, has garnered attention, with fans speculating about a possible romantic connection. Despite the rumors, Erivo remains focused on her craft and her deep connection to her characters, like Elphaba in Wicked. Ich denke über die Szene im Speisesaal nach, wo alle so feindselig schauen. Wenn man diese Erfahrungen spielt, nimmt man sie auf. Mein Weg war immer, alle auszublenden.“
Insgesamt ist die Beurteilung des Internets, zumindest auf TikTok, dass Erivo und Grande nur wirklich gute Freunde sind. Außerdem ist Erivo in einer Beziehung mit der Drehbuchautorin Lena Waithe, die das erste Mal, als sie Erivo beim Met Gala 2018 sah, beschrieb. „Ich erinnere mich daran, dass ich dachte, ‚Wer ist dieses winzige Person mit britischem Akzent?‘ Wir haben uns seitdem einfach gut verstanden.“
Fünf Minuten vor Ende des Interviews kam meine 15-jährige Tochter herein. Sie sollte eine Frage zu Wicked II stellen, aber sie sagte einfach: „Du bist so erstaunlich“ mehrmals, und Erivo war unglaublich, außerhalb des Professionalismus warm und gesprächig, darüber, dass die Schule meiner Tochter um die Ecke liegt, historisch rivalisierend, von La Retraite. Also fragte ich nach Wicked II, und es „könnte für Aufregung sorgen“, sagte sie. „Es ist ein dunklerer Film. Sie sind erwachsen geworden. Sie sind nicht mehr in der Schule. Ich denke, es ist wirklich saftig.“
Sie hat drei weitere Filmrollen bestätigt, aber noch nicht öffentlich, eine weitere wartet auf eine Entscheidung, und sie wird in diesem Jahr ein Album mit ihren eigenen Songs veröffentlichen, vielleicht mit einer Mini-Tour. „Ich bin eine Außenseiterin, also werde ich versuchen, Wege zu finden, um es für mich sinnvoll zu machen.“
Ich denke, die Generation Z ist auf etwas: Ich denke, sie ist erstaunlich, und es gibt viel Platz, sobald man herausgefunden hat, was es bedeutet.
Wicked ist im Kino und zu Hause zum Ausleihen oder Kaufen erhältlich.