Cynthia Erivo, the acclaimed British actress and singer, has opened up about her decision to retreat from campaigning for an Oscar for the film *Wicked: For Good*. In a recent interview with *Variety*, Erivo cited the negative backlash following an incident during a press tour in Singapore as a key factor in her choice.
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The incident in question took place in November 2025, during the promotional events for the film. Erivo was present alongside her co-star Ariana Grande when a man, later referred to as Johnson Wen, attempted to breach security barriers and get too close to Grande on the red carpet at Universal Studios Singapore. In a moment of instinctive protection, Erivo intervened, positioning herself between the intruder and Grande while security assessed the situation.
Reflecting on the incident, Erivo shared her thoughts on the aftermath, stating, “Nobody moved. Nobody moved. So I moved.” She described feeling compelled to act in order to safeguard her fellow performer, revealing, “My immediate reaction was ‘Get him away from us.’” Her instincts kicked in as she pushed against the man to ensure Grande’s safety.
However, the response to her actions was disheartening. Following the incident, Erivo faced a barrage of derogatory memes and social media commentary that targeted her physical appearance and led to harmful assumptions about her role in the situation. “I just felt like my humanity had been bastardized,” she remarked. Erivo noted that the negative attention focused on “insidious” aspects of her appearance, such as her shaved head and physique, reflecting broader societal prejudices.
Erivo elaborated on her feelings regarding the criticism, explaining, “It felt like something I did instinctively had been made to be something that it simply was not because of the way people see women who look like me.” As a result, she expressed her reluctance to undergo the intense scrutiny of the awards season, stating, “I just didn’t want to put myself through it.”
The actress was also candid about her perception of the reception to *Wicked: For Good*, indicating that even before the awards season began, there was a certain degree of scepticism surrounding the film. “It didn’t help,” she noted, adding, “it felt like there was already a sort of upturned nose at the second installment, even though we all knew there was a second film coming and we were just doing our jobs.”
Despite these challenges, Erivo maintained that working on *Wicked* had been a transformative experience. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating that the project had significantly impacted her life. “We were holding on by threads,” she said of her and Grande’s collaboration over the past four years. Their close working relationship, formed during the filming of both *Wicked* instalments, has fostered a strong bond between the two.
Furthermore, Erivo addressed sceptics who doubted the authenticity of her friendship with Grande, asserting that public perceptions are often skewed. “It’s very interesting, watching what people’s perception is versus what the reality actually is,” she remarked. The actress hinted at the disconnect between how the media portrays celebrity friendships versus the genuine connections that exist behind the scenes.
Following the conclusion of their work on *Wicked*, Erivo disclosed that her friendship with Grande remains steadfast. The pair continue to communicate frequently, texting each other nearly every day. “I think that people didn’t really believe that we were actually friends,” Erivo said, urging critics to reconsider their assumptions. “If I’m a friend, then I’m a friend. If I’m not, then I’m not.”
As she reflects on her experiences, Erivo’s journey serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by artists in the public eye, particularly women of colour. Her story highlights the importance of understanding and compassion in an industry often marked by harsh judgement and scrutiny. With her resilience and dedication to her craft, Erivo continues to inspire both her peers and fans alike.