The press tour surrounding Wicked and Wicked: For Good became one of the strangest spectacles in recent Hollywood history. Now, Cynthia Erivo says she no longer wants to discuss the franchise.
In a recent video interview with Variety, the actress behind Elphaba participated in a game where she guessed the origins of some of her most famous roles and songs. After identifying each one, Erivo reflected on the stories and experiences connected to them. However, when Wicked came up, the actress asked to move on to another subject.
Cynthia Erivo Shuts Down More Wicked Questions
An off-camera interviewer handed Cynthia Erivo a card featuring a lyric from Wicked. After glancing at it, Erivo immediately tried to hand it back with a firm, “No.” The interviewer laughed and asked her to repeat herself.
Cynthia Erivo – Varity, YouTube
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“No, no,” Erivo said again. “Oh, we’re really going to try and get one from Wicked, aren’t we?”
She quickly read the line — “You’re the only friend I ever had” — but made it clear she did not want to linger on the subject.
“Do you mind if we do another question that isn’t about Wicked?” she asked. “Because I feel like I’ve spent the last two years talking about it and I think that we have an opportunity to start talking about something else. Is that okay?”
The actress and singer emphasized that her reaction had nothing to do with disliking the films.
“I love Wicked, but I’ve just talked about it ad nauseam.”
The Bizarre Wicked Press Tour Still Haunts The Franchise
While the first film was a major hit, the sequel underperformed at the box office. At this point, additional entries in the potential franchise appear unlikely. Online, many speculated that audiences may have been turned off by the increasingly unusual behavior of lead actresses Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo during the extended press tour.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande on the Wicked Press Tour – YouTube, GLAAD
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The marketing campaign for both films was enormous, and the stars participated in countless joint interviews. Several moments from those appearances quickly went viral, with even some people inside Hollywood reportedly finding the interactions awkward or off-putting.
One widely discussed moment came during a red carpet interview when Grande and Erivo were asked to describe each other’s “auras.” Another featured Erivo cradling Grande after producer Marc Platt appeared to startle her during a panel discussion, a reaction many viewers felt seemed disproportionate to the incident. During a separate outdoor interview, Erivo appeared visibly overwhelmed when a helicopter flew overhead, prompting Grande to emphatically wave her hands in an attempt to shoo it away.
A Screenshot of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in the Wicked Movie Trailer, YouTube – Universal Pictures
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When the Wicked: For Good press tour was abruptly cut short — reportedly because Cynthia Erivo lost her voice and Ariana Grande refused to appear without her — some online speculated that the decision may have also served as a form of studio damage control.
More Questions Than Awards
Despite generating some momentum at the Golden Globes, Wicked: For Good ultimately received no Academy Award nominations. Rumors circulated online suggesting that the snub may have had less to do with the film itself and more to do with the unusual promotional campaign surrounding Erivo and Grande.
Whether the press tour will have any lasting impact on Cynthia Erivo’s career remains unclear. What does seem clear, however, is that the actress is ready to leave discussions about Wicked behind for good.
Are you surprised the Cynthia Erivo doesn’t want to discuss Wicked anymore? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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