Latest news with #JesusChristSuperstar
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'Wicked' Star Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Critics of Her New Role
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Cynthia Erivo remains one of the most talented performers working today. One letter shy of an EGOT, Erivo most recently garnered critical acclaim for her iconic performance as Elphaba in "Wicked," which earned her a second Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress. Now, with "Wicked: For Good" releasing later this year, Erivo is ready for her next project: "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl. More Entertainment: Fan-Favorite 'Schitt's Creek' Star Joins MCU The Tony Award winner will be taking on the role of Jesus Christ opposite Adam Lambert as Judas. Erivo's casting has received complaints from conservative critics over, and it seems that she really doesn't care about that. INDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 19: Cynthia Erivo performs with Gustavo Dudamel & LA Phil at the Coachella Stage during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 19, 2025 in Indio, California. INDIO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 19: Cynthia Erivo performs with Gustavo Dudamel & LA Phil at the Coachella Stage during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 19, 2025 in Indio, Coachella In an interview with Stephen Daw of Billboard, Erivo addressed the claims that her performance as Jesus in the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical was "blasphemous," pointing out that there was no reason she shouldn't be able to play the character. "Why Not?" Erivo asked with a chuckle. "You can't please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, 'Oh, it's a musical, the gayest place on Earth.'" More Entertainment: Stephen King 'Carrie' Remake Officially Reveals Main Cast Erivo received similar criticism when she was cast as Elphaba, with many critics claiming she was a "woke hire." "I had to audition, just like everybody else. And I'm glad I had to do that," Erivo said, per Afua Hirsh of Elle. "I have the credentials for it. I've done the work. But I'm glad they got to be sure about the choice. It allows me to take this, and to know that I had to work really hard for it." In fact, she believes her experience as "the other" informed her performance as the future Wicked Witch of the West. "I was conscious that I didn't want to erase the thing that I am underneath the green," Erivo said. "For me, it was about using my own experience as the 'other,' as someone who exists in that way. So, that's partially the reason why Elphaba has braids, as opposed to straight hair. It's the reason why she has long nails." Erivo will be performing in "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl from Aug. 1-3, 2025. "Wicked: For Good" hits cinemas on Nov. 21, 2025. More Entertainment: Original 'King of the Hill' Voice Actor Dead After Fatal Shooting 'A Minecraft Movie' Hits HBO Max for Free Streaming in June: What to Know For more entertainment news, head on over to Newsweek Entertainment.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo laughs at critics of her playing Jesus in upcoming musical
"Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo doesn't see an issue with playing the role of Jesus Christ in an upcoming performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar." In a recent interview with Billboard, the actress laughed off outrage that she would be playing Jesus in an upcoming rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical. "Why not?" she asked Billboard when asked about people saying she shouldn't perform the role. "You can't please everyone." Broadway Star Patti Lupone Says Trump-led Kennedy Center 'Should Get Blown Up' Erivo is set to perform in the rock opera at the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of the musical that runs from August 1 to August 3 this year. News that the actress would be Jesus caused controversy for Christians and conservatives on social media last February. At the time, Christian pastor, John K. Amanchukwu Sr., complained about the casting on social media, stating, "With all due respect, and humbly submitted, Cynthia Erivo is too BALD, BROWN, and BI to play Jesus. Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions." Read On The Fox News App Conservative Christian influencer Alexandra Lains posted her complaints about the casting decision, stating, "Christianity seems to be the only religion that's never off limits for Hollywood to disrespect. Cynthia Erivo, a black woman, as Jesus Christ? Please stop with the lunacy." John Lithgow Says Trump's Return Is Biggest 'Disaster' For The Arts Since Covid-19 The Billboard interview, published on Monday, noted that Erivo "can't help but laugh" at the outrage. She justified taking the role and said people will get over it once they see it. "It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So, hopefully they will come and realize, 'Oh, it's a musical, the gayest place on Earth,'" she said. Erivo was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the hit musical "Wicked" as Elphaba. Elsewhere during the interview, the entertainer weighed in on President Donald Trump's overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in February. Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Trump fired several Kennedy Center board members, including the president and chairman, and replaced them with pro-Trump figures, who then named the president as chairman. The outlet said that Erivo expressed "dread" over the recent Kennedy Center changes. She told Billboard, "I don't know who gains what from that. I hope that it comes back," she says. "It's really sad to have to watch this happen to it. The Kennedy Center is supposed to be a space of creativity and art and music for everyone."Original article source: 'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo laughs at critics of her playing Jesus in upcoming musical
Fox News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo laughs at critics of her playing Jesus in upcoming musical
"Wicked" star Cynthia Erivo doesn't see an issue with playing the role of Jesus Christ in an upcoming performance of "Jesus Christ Superstar." In a recent interview with Billboard, the actress laughed off outrage that she would be playing Jesus in an upcoming rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical. "Why not?" she asked Billboard when asked about people saying she shouldn't perform the role. "You can't please everyone." Erivo is set to perform in the rock opera at the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of the musical that runs from August 1 to August 3 this year. News that the actress would be Jesus caused controversy for Christians and conservatives on social media last February. At the time, Christian pastor, John K. Amanchukwu Sr., complained about the casting on social media, stating, "With all due respect, and humbly submitted, Cynthia Erivo is too BALD, BROWN, and BI to play Jesus. Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions." Conservative Christian influencer Alexandra Lains posted her complaints about the casting decision, stating, "Christianity seems to be the only religion that's never off limits for Hollywood to disrespect. Cynthia Erivo, a black woman, as Jesus Christ? Please stop with the lunacy." The Billboard interview, published on Monday, noted that Erivo "can't help but laugh" at the outrage. She justified taking the role and said people will get over it once they see it. "It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So, hopefully they will come and realize, 'Oh, it's a musical, the gayest place on Earth,'" she said. Erivo was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the hit musical "Wicked" as Elphaba. Elsewhere during the interview, the entertainer weighed in on President Donald Trump's overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., in February. Trump fired several Kennedy Center board members, including the president and chairman, and replaced them with pro-Trump figures, who then named the president as chairman. The outlet said that Erivo expressed "dread" over the recent Kennedy Center changes. She told Billboard, "I don't know who gains what from that. I hope that it comes back," she says. "It's really sad to have to watch this happen to it. The Kennedy Center is supposed to be a space of creativity and art and music for everyone."
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Cynthia Erivo defends her casting as Jesus in 'the gayest place on Earth'
Cynthia Erivo has shrugged off criticism after she was announced to be playing Jesus. The 38-year-old British actress and singer is best known for playing Harriet Taubman in the movie Harriet, Aretha Franklin in the series Genius: Aretha and Elphaba in Wicked. She has also starred in a string of theatre productions, including Sister Act, The Color Purple, and Gutenberg! The Musical!. Earlier this year she was announced as the star on the Hollywood Bowl's upcoming staging of Jesus Christ Superstar. In February the 38-year-old was revealed to be playing Jesus Christ in the show, which will have three performances in August. 'Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl! Emmy, Grammy, and Tony winner, and three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo is cast as Jesus,' the venue revealed on social media. Cynthia then shared: 'Just a little busy this summer, can't wait.' However, the casting divided people, with some even going so far as to label it 'blasphemous'. A few months on Cynthia has defended her casting in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical. Asked by Billboard about the backlash to a Black queer woman taking on the role, she declared: 'Why not?' 'You can't please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. 'So hopefully they will come and realise, 'Oh, it's a musical, the gayest place on Earth'.' When her casting was initially announced Cynthia was also met with support from fans who pointed out the musical had always featured a racially diverse cast, and they enjoyed watching people have a 'meltdown' over her casting. Cynthia previously starred as Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the musical, which made its Broadway debut in 1971, in 2020. The upcoming production will see Adam Lambert play Judas, with Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo the director and choreographer. Rice previously said he was looking forward to see this reimagining of his show. 'I think a piece that is established, there's no reason it can't be done in lots of forms,' he told LBC. 'I think Cynthia, who is one of the best singers on the planet, will do a great version.' A previous staging in 2018 – NBC's Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert – saw John Legend play Jesus. More Trending Since making her debut on the West End in 2011, Cynthia has gone on to win an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony Award, now being just one win away from securing the title of EGOT with an Oscar win. Later this month Cynthia will host the Tony Awards, as well as release an album. Later this year she will also star in Wicked's sequel – Wicked For Good. Her next theatre show after Jesus Christ Superstar will be Frankenstein on the West End next year, in which she will play a jaw-dropping 23 roles. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 16 and Pregnant star Whitney Purvis 'living a nightmare' after son Weston dies aged 16 MORE: Famous Hollywood couple shattered after learning they can't move to Ireland permanently MORE: Boardwalk Empire actor Devin Harjes dies aged 41 after cancer diagnosis
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Wicked' Star Cynthia Erivo Fires Back at MAGA Hate for Playing Jesus
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has some thoughts about the MAGA outrage—fueled by Elon Musk—over her casting as Christ in the Hollywood Bowl's production of Jesus Christ Superstar. 'You can't please everyone,' the Tony, Grammy, and Emmy-winner told Billboard in a new interview. 'It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, 'Oh, it's a musical, the gayest place on Earth.'' The show will run August 1-3. Many MAGA fans slammed Erivo's Christ casting as 'blasphemy' on social media when her role was first announced in February. What seemed lost on several critics was the tone of the show itself. The 1971 Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera has always been a provocative, at-times critical take on Christ's life, that over time became a cult favorite among queer audiences. Musk seemed to have missed that bit of information as well as he chimed in on X with an eyebrow-raised emoji in reply to an X user who wrote, 'Imagine doing this to any other religion' next to Erivo's casting news. Critics with similar complaints flooded Variety's social media post announcing the casting with one user in the replies called Erivo playing Christ 'anti-Christian bigotry' by 'Hollywood.' But Erivo told Billboard, 'Why not?' as she shrugged off naysayers. 'The more yourself you are, the more you are in front of people who don't necessarily understand, the better understanding starts to happen,' she said. As much as she wants to be 'a person you can get positive things from' since 'that is the only way you can balance this stuff,' she couldn't help getting in a jab at Donald Trump for his takeover of the Kennedy Center, where Erivo played some of the most iconic performances of her career. 'I don't know who gains what from that. I hope that it comes back,' she said. 'It's really sad to have to watch this happen to it. The Kennedy Center is supposed to be a space of creativity and art and music for everyone.' That said, assimilating to appease Trump and his 'anti-woke' mob isn't on the star's to-do list, she added. 'I want to encourage people to not decide to just tuck away and start hiding and not being themselves anymore,' she said, 'because that is exactly what they want.'
