As Cynthia Erivo transforms into the green soon-to-be Wicked Witch of the West, the Academy Award-winning actress details how her character, Elphaba wears prosthetic ears in Wicked.
Wicked's Cynthia Erivo Details Elphaba's Prosthetic Ears on Set
Wicked is right around the corner, and yet fans can't help but question how Elphaba's make-up was done behind the scenes. Here's what Cynthia Erivo detailed about the transformation.
"They created a green specifically for me. It was literally 'Cynthia Green'," Erivo shared in a recent interview with Elle, explaining that it usually takes them four hours to do her green make-up, "depending on how much green" she needed.
In this case, it varies depending on the head, chest, hands, and full body of Elphaba in green on the screen.
"[My makeup artist] created a vacuum form so the freckles would stay in the same place every day," Erivo added, "I have a million piercings, so they brought in a prosthetic artist, who created basically a shell for my ears—those aren't my ears!"
How Cynthia Erivo Tweaked Wicked's Elphaba To Be Her Version
Cynthia Erivo has been quite vocal when it comes to portraying Elphaba in her own way in the upcoming musical film adaptation.
Previously, she addressed why she was deeply affected with a fan edit of Elphaba and Glinda's poster for the film adaptation. But in her own way, here's how this 2024 Wicked is her version of Elphaba.
"It connects to who I am underneath the skin," Erivo opened how her first request for the Wicked Witch is to have a 'textured hairstyle', "There's a complete connection between me and her—we're not just erasing who's playing this character."
From her freckles to her eye color and nails, the process, Erivo says, helped her "fall in love with this woman."
Erivo also sheds light on how Elphaba connects to being 'othered' based on the color of their skin from Oz, "It's important to know what it feels like. I hope that this shifts and changes things across stages."
What do you think about this 2024 Elphaba? Let us know in the comments below!
READ NEXT: Is Jonathan Bailey's Horse in Wicked the Same One He Rides in Bridgerton?
Meanwhile, fans can expect Wicked Part 1 to premiere on the big screens on November 22, while Part 2 follows suit on November 21, 2025.
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