A black British woman auditioned for the part and got the role. It’s as simple as that.

I understand you being worried, but a black person is actually the best decision for a role like Elphaba. Only a black person undertands what it feels like to not be accepted because of their skin colour. Besides, Elphaba is not evil, she might actually be the most decent person in all of Oz. The amount of bad things that happen to her for trying to be good is so much that once she decides enough is enough, we also decide enough is enough, lol. We love her.

Cynthia WANTED to be Elphaba just like how Ariana WANTED to be Glinda And the traditional wizard of oz is WAYYYYY different from Wicked Elphaba is NEVER evil shes framed AS being Evil by people who want to use her for her magical abilities. This movie and this story in general has NOTHING to do with race at all bcs ANYONE can play these characters thats why its a play thats always in production all over the world

So, this is the untold story of the witches of Oz. Here, in this story, you come to realize that Elphaba, the green witch, is actually not the evil wicked witch of the west that all of Oz portrayed her to be in the original movie. This play/musical is based upon a book telling the true story from Elphaba and Glinda’s POV. So, Elphaba is not truly a villain or evil. The villain is the Wizard and the citizens of Oz by proxy. That is why the opening line of the trailer is, “Are people born wicked, or is wickedness thrust upon them?” 🩷🫧💚🧹

She’s the wicked witch bc she’s talented. They could’ve casted anybody of any race but it wouldn’t matter bc she’s green. It’s not a race thing, Cynthia is just extremely talented and she auditioned too. Being able to play the witch is one of the greatest honors bc the witch is the main character, has the most iconic songs, and is shown to be good. There’s only been like 1 or 2 black actresses play the witch in the show too. I just wanted to give some insight that they didn’t “make” the black lady the witch, she wanted to be the witch and auditioned and blew them away with her talent! Hope this helped!

Elphaba in Wicked is one of the HARDEST roles to perform. Cynthia Erivo is extremely talented! I would also recommend you look up her performances from the Color Purple. She is stunning. Perfect for this role.

Everything about the trailer is in my eyes, very obviously portraying Elphaba as the sympathetic character. While I understand the importance of being wary and critical about how Black people, especially Black women, are portrayed in media, this is not one of those times where I'd worry. If anything, this movie actually perfectly highlights how Black women who can be incredibly gifted and talented are used and scapegoated by others through no fault of their own and instead are made to be perceived as something "wicked". So with all that said, glad you're careful about what your children watch but I'll echo others and perhaps say that looking deeper into the story will help clear things up (even though I think the trailer was pretty clear.) Whether they had cast a white actress or Black actress in this case makes little difference because she is green and the story would have played out the same regardless. But I get it, Cynthia is a Black woman so she's going to be heavily scrutinized for that again, through no fault of her own. I'm sure she was chosen because she can both act and sing. The movie is not at all saying Black people are inherently evil...it's doing the opposite.

Elphaba is green, not black. There were actual black students at the school as you noticed. Elphaba was not one of them. She is green.

It’s a black actress finally cast in a role normally portrayed by white actresses. Has absolutely nothing to do with what you’re saying. It’s a beautiful story about friendship. It’s a story about not judging people for being different.

You're right to be concerned. I was too when I saw that the 'witch' was being played by a woman who looks like me. But hearing one woman who followed the story of the "The Wizard of Oz", The Book and the Stage play, say "Elphaba isn't wicked she is misunderstood." But the effigy...WTH?

What a hilarious video. I take away 2 things from this reaction 1. You've never seen the stage show of Wicked or read the books it based off. 2. You have no idea how acting and how an actor is chosen for any acting job works. 😅 Wicked has been playng all over the world for 21 years, only one black actress has ever played her on stage that entire time, 45 have played the role on Broadway and many more in other countries, all of them white. Hopefully that answers you ludicrous question of "oh dear, why have they choosen a black woman to play her" 😅😅😅😅😅 Take your daughters to go see it, they will love it ❤

I kept cringing at your reaction. I understand how it looks from someone that doesn’t know Wicked. But having a black women play Elphaba is so needed on Broadway it’s always played by white women. I hope you give the movie a chance and have an open mind watching it. It goes so much deeper than just race

The witch is the hero of this story.

Elphiba being played by a black woman is so important. Definitely a story your kids will love and learn from. We are not who we appear on the outside but who we are on the inside… is the theme of the show. Enjoy, I wish I could watch wicked for the first time again

2:42 she's literally green... but we heard you.

Have you ever seen or read Wicked? I’d pick Cynthia if only because she’s one of a few singers who can hit a certain note for the song Gravity. But it’s about being different and how people’s fear of that difference can be used to manipulate them to do wicked things.

First, Cynthia WANTED that role, the character is not only one of the hardest roles to play/sing out there but two, it tells a story of love, betrayal and friendship, ALSO literally is about Elphaba being treated for being different and because of the color of her skin. I highly suggest to look into wicked and see what it is about then re watch. May change your opinion

go and do your homework find out why the witch is black find out before you see the movie understanding it before you comment

I think he has confused the story of The Wizard Oz with this film. This movie is adaption of the Stage Show Wicked, where the she is the hero and shows why she turned bad.

Man, not everything is about the actors race, chill.

Given your comments, I think you’ll like this a lot. It’s a story about oppression and otherness.

Wait… There are really people making one of the most beloved musicals about race? Weird

😂😂brother you immediately see everything racist she voluntarily spoke for the role and was chosen she even cried out of joy because she got it don't cry not everything is about racism why have you all become so soft even if the actress had to be white she would still be GREEN and her film character would still be the same

The Green Witch is the hero!!!!! SHE's THE HERO!!!!!!!

Your comment on “inherently evil” [or even being less than] is understandable. I see that you’ve been informed by others about the story within Wicked -turning the perspective of the “wicked witch” on its head- so I won’t rehash that. But I want to point back to the opening line in the trailer: “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?” This speaks to your comment, as well as the idea that some people are “monsters” - typically used to label individuals who carry out behavior that many would call monstrous or evil. Science has determined that “evil behavior” is primarily a consequence of one’s environment, with a possibility of biological proclivities; greater susceptibility (weakened or lacking empathy, addiction, etc.) to some behavior opening pathways for poor judgment and/or decisions. All of which could lead to horrendous behavior, especially if one’s higher executive functions are also impaired. Yet, much of this dependent on what all is occurring in one’s environment. Do they have other people in their life that could counter balance the trauma or bad influence? Does the event miss a ‘window’ of time that would have been far more impactful? This is why people may hear about a lot of serial killers suffering head injuries at young ages, yet you yourself or someone you know suffered a head injury at a young age and never had an urge to murder anyone. Both are possible! **No need to read the following but I’d still like to share my thoughts… :) Many factors play a part in brain development, both immediately after and long after the day of your birth. (Prior to your birth too, of course…just less so.) And this is why it is so important to display and encourage everyone to model and teach empathy as early as possible. Honestly- learning about our emotions and thought patterns should be required curriculum in early education. Maintaining this knowledge and expanding on it in later years is also necessary, what with our greater cognitive abilities. We would all be so much better-off with this level of awareness.

here are the facts -Cynthia Erivo -an extremely talented actress and singer auditioned and landed the role of Elphaba (the wicked witch) because of her TALENTS! why do we always have to play the race card when it comes to things like this...grow up!

Your poor children. Of course you automatically think because she's black she's going to be the villain? Learn about something before you speak about it. I cant wait for your kids to watch this film, idolize Elphaba and you come on here to apologize about your sad way of thinking.

Why are people so obsessed with race. Bizarre.

I know bro I thought she was gonna turn good for a second too there before she jumped out the window

Cringe reaction