Cynthia Erivo addresses 'woke hire' label for Wicked role as Elphaba

Cynthia Erivo, cast as Elphaba in the film "Wicked," addressed discussions about her being labeled a "woke hire." She emphasized that she auditioned for the role and has the necessary credentials. The film, a prequel to "The Wizard of Oz," explores the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande. Erivo expressed a strong connection to her character, reflecting her own experiences as someone who feels like an outsider. Erivo described the physical challenges of portraying Elphaba, including performing her own stunts. She noted that the preparation was demanding, involving hours in a harness, which caused physical discomfort.