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Cynthia Erivo Embraces Her Black Queer Identity, Calls ‘Wicked’ a ‘Love Letter’

Cynthia Erivo discussed how her identity as a queer Black woman has helped others better connect with her 'Wicked' character in a new interview.

From tear-jerking interviews along the Wicked press tour, to holding space for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity,” Cynthia Erivo ‘s run as the green-skinned Elphaba has been nothing less of a whirlwind. @varietymagazine Cynthia Erivo on being one of only two Black women to play Elphaba in a major production: “I feel that I’ve been given this incredible gift of a character…I’m really glad to be the conduit to which this character has been brought to the world.” In May, the Wicked star was honored at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala, where she shared that she related to her onscreen counterpart’s feelings of otherness and how those characteristics helped her discover her superpower.

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