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Ariana Grande responds to Cynthia Erivo’s critique on ‘Wicked’ fan edits
The controversy surrounding fan edits and memes
Recently, the world of Wicked has seen an unexpected twist. Fans of the musical have taken creative liberties with promotional material, resulting in a flurry of fan-edited ‘Wicked’ posters and AI-generated memes. Some of these edits have sparked controversy, particularly among the cast members.
The fan-edited poster and viral meme
It all started when a fan altered a poster released by Universal. The edit, intended to mimic the original Broadway poster, lowered Elphaba’s witch hat to cover Cynthia Erivo’s eyes. This seemingly small change set off a wave of reactions online. Another image that went viral showed Glinda whispering into Elphaba’s ear with a caption that read, “Is your pussy green?” This meme quickly caught fire, adding fuel to an already heated discussion.
Ariana Grande’s perspective on the edits
In an exclusive conversation at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles, Ariana Grande shared her thoughts on the matter. “I think it’s very complicated because I find AI so conflicting and troublesome sometimes,” she confessed. Grande went on to describe the situation as a massive adjustment period. “This is something so much bigger than us, and the fans are going to have fun and make their edits.”
Respect and adjustment
Grande’s reflections didn’t stop there. When asked if things might have gone too far, she responded thoughtfully, “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 much stimulation about something that’s so much bigger than us.”
Cynthia Erivo’s strong reaction
Conversely, Cynthia Erivo expressed a much sharper disapproval of the fan edits. Taking to Instagram, she blasted the tweaked poster and meme, calling them the wildest, most offensive things she had seen, equating them to an earlier AI-generated image of the actors fighting. Erivo’s stance was clear and unequivocal: “None of this is funny. None of it is cute. It degrades me. It degrades us.”
Insights into ‘Wicked’ movie adaptation
As the buzz around these edits continues, it’s essential to remember the core of this excitement—the upcoming Wicked movie. Directed by Jon M. Chu, this adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical is set to hit theaters in two parts, with the first installment arriving in November. Set at Shiz University in Oz, Wicked tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda, who transition from unlikely roommates to friends.
Stellar supporting cast
Joining Erivo and Grande are notable names such as Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, and Bowen Yang. This ensemble cast is sure to bring fresh energy to the iconic roles, making the film a highly anticipated event.
Future collaboration between Grande and Erivo?
In a delightful twist, Grande hinted at the possibility of further artistic collaboration with Erivo. “I love being in the studio with her, even just as like a fly on the wall, hearing what she’s working on and having her there when I’m working,” she shared. “I think we are stuck with each other, professionally and personally, for the rest of our lives. So I would say absolutely.”
Final thoughts
The controversy surrounding the fan-edited ‘Wicked’ posters and AI-generated memes is a testament to the passionate fanbase of the musical. While art and expression through fan interaction can indeed bring new dimensions to beloved works, they also raise questions about respect and boundaries. As the Wicked movie’s release approaches, these discussions add another layer of depth to the anticipation.
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