Cynthia Erivo gets a hug from Ariana Grande as the Problem hitmaker weighs in on the controversy over fan memes of the Wicked poster
Cynthia Erivo got a hug from co-star Ariana Grande as the Problem hitmaker spoke out about the Wicked poster fan meme controversy.
The Wicked stars were among those in attendance at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ fourth annual Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday.
The duo’s appearance comes after Cynthia, 37, expressed her anger at the ‘offensive’ Wicked edits made by fans, accusing them of ‘erasing’ her.
Speaking to Variety at the gala, Ariana, 31, defended Cynthia’s position while criticizing the use of AI as “conflicting and troublesome.”
After her performance on Saturday, Cynthia looked somber as she was comforted backstage by Ariana amid the controversy.
Cynthia Erivo got a hug from co-star Ariana Grande in Los Angeles as the Problem hitmaker addressed the AI memes controversy of the Wicked poster on Saturday
The Wicked stars were among those in attendance at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures’ fourth annual Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday
“I think it’s very complicated because I find AI so contradictory and difficult sometimes, but I think it’s just a huge adjustment period,” Ariana told a reporter about the drama surrounding the poster’s memes.
“This is something so much bigger than us and the fans are going to have fun and make their edits.”
When asked if memes can sometimes go too far, she replied: ‘I think so. And I have so much respect for my sister, Cynthia, and I love her so much.
“It’s just a big adjustment period. It’s so encouraging for something so much bigger than us.”
Cynthia recently released a specific edited Wicked poster featuring her and co-star Ariana, with the fan making it look similar to the original West End post.
The actress took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to repost an edited version of the recently unveiled poster for her new film, a remake of the stage version.
She wrote: ‘This is the wildest, most offensive idiot I have ever seen.’
Cynthia then compared it to the questions she was sent about her green skin in the film.
The duo’s appearance comes after Cynthia, 37, expressed her anger over the ‘offensive’ Wicked edits made by fans, accusing them of ‘erasing’ her
Speaking to Variety at the gala, Ariana, 31, defended Cynthia’s position while criticizing the use of AI as ‘conflicting and inconvenient’
Speaking to Variety at the gala, Ariana, 31, defended Cynthia’s position while criticizing the use of AI as ‘conflicting and inconvenient’
“I think it’s very complicated because I find AI so contradictory and difficult sometimes, but I think it’s just such a huge adjustment period,” Ariana told a reporter about the drama surrounding the poster’s memes.
Cynthia took the stage at the gala in LA as she performed for the crowd
When asked if memes can sometimes go too far, she replied: “I think so. And I have so much respect for my sister, Cynthia, and I love her so much.”
She continued, “None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us.
‘The original poster is an ILLUSTRATION. I am a real human being who has chosen to look straight down the barrel of the camera at you, the viewer… because we communicate without words with our eyes.”
The talented actress then described the differences between the original musical and the theatrical version.
“Our poster is a tribute and not an imitation,” she said before adding: “Editing my face and hiding my eyes is erasing me. And that is just deeply hurtful…’
She then posted another Instagram story with the official poster.
“Let me put this here,” Cynthia wrote above the image, next to two green hearts. ‘To remind you and cleanse your palette.’
The difference between the two images is in the official poster, you can see Erivo’s face and she is staring expressionlessly straight into the camera.
In the stage version of Wicked and the fan art, Elphaba’s hat is pulled over her eyes and nose and she wears a grin on her face with red lipstick.
Cynthia recently blasted a specially edited Wicked poster featuring her and co-star Ariana, with the fan making it look similar to the original West End post (both pictured with co-star Jaff Goldblum)
“Our poster is a tribute and not an imitation,” she said before adding: “Editing my face and hiding my eyes is erasing me. And that is just deeply hurtful’
Ariana shared the official version of the poster on her Instagram Stories and talked about her co-star, who is just an Academy Award away from EGOT status.
“I love you @cynthiaerivo and I can’t wait for the world to experience your pure, utter beauty in this…just saying.” I love you, here we go!’
Cynthia then replied via Instastory: ‘@arianagrande what a moment in time. What a miracle we can experience together!
‘I can’t wait for people to be blown away by you and your total love and care for Glinda (and really Elphie). The time is now. I got you. I love you.’