Cynthia Erivo delivers a standout performance as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s musical fantasy film ‘Wicked.’ The lead character begins the story as an outcast who is shunned because of the green color of her skin.

Cynthia asked the director, Jon M. Chu, if they could “reimagine” Elphaba’s traditionally long, wavy hair as micro braids in the movie.

Cynthia Erivo knows how to do this. Erivo has already dazzled audiences with her powerhouse performances on stage and screen. Still, her turn as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” has cemented her place as one of her generation’s most versatile and captivating artists.

Cynthia Erivo has been in the news lately for her wonderful performance in Wicked. Directed by Jon M Chu, the film stars Ariana Grande alongside her.

How and why did the kind-hearted, smart and green Elphaba Thropp become such a nasty, powerful, dare we say wicked witch of the classic tale “The Wizard of Oz”? The big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked ” uses subtle nuances to hint at Elphaba’s growing powers, but also nod to Black women.

The London-born actress follows her rules of attraction when picking out roles - like Elphaba, who captivated her in the 'Wicked' stage production more than a decade ago: "I saw myself."

In a recent interview, Cynthia Erivo revealed that she co-wrote an original song for Elphaba for “Wicked: For Good.” “When we filmed it, the entire crew was in tears” Erivo says.