Cynthia Erivo says people thought her casting in Wicked was a ‘woke hire’ Cynthia Erivo has said there were “conversations” about her being cast as a “woke hire” in her role as Elphaba in Wicked.
The British actress, 37, who recently scored a Golden Globe nomination for playing the green witch, said she has the “credentials” for the role and “had to audition, just like everybody else”.
Erivo said the film had made her want to “play more dark and mysterious people”, adding she felt a deep connection to her role in Wicked.
Speaking to Elle UK, Erivo said: “There have definitely been conversations about me getting this role as a woke hire.
The beauty is that it connects with anyone who feels like they’re the other – whether they are black, whether they are queer, or whether they are just different.”.
