WICKED star Cynthia Erivo has conjured up a religious storm by being cast as Jesus. The Londoner — up for the Best Actress Oscar for playing green witch Elphaba in the hit Oz movie — will be the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar. The Andrew Lloyd Webber rock-opera is set to be performed at the Hollywood Bowl in California in August. But casting a woman as Jesus has caused fury among many, who say the move is woke and lacks respect.
![[Cynthia Erivo at the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/los-angeles-premiere-universal-pictures-948088256.jpg?strip=all&w=686)
Angry online comments included: “Absolutely blasphemy. "You’re mocking Christ the King,” and “This is just plain disrespectful.”. One outraged person wrote: “Please stop with this nonsense of doing EVERYTHING inclusive or woke!. "Have some respect. This is just mockery.”. Cynthia, 38, shared the news on social media, saying: “Just a little busy this Summer. Can’t wait.”. Her fans are behind her, with one posting online: “That’s going to be a powerhouse performance!”.
![[Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in a scene from the film *Wicked*.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/wicked-prequel-wizard-oz-goes-944296153.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
