From the moment Cynthia Erivo appeared as Elphaba in the film Wicked, audiences were mesmerized by her iconic look: her stunning emerald skin, her powerful presence, and her long, flowing, windswept raven hair. It has become etched in the annals of musical theatre. However, the efforts she put into creating this iconic look, both during filming and on stage, night after night, beg a real question: Is Cynthia Erivo wearing a wig in Wicked?
Let's explore the hair and look behind Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba, the role the wig plays in the film's narrative, and why this detail is so important to audiences.
Firstly, Who Is Cynthia Erivo?
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Cynthia Erivo was born on 8 January 1987 and is a British actress and singer. Known for her work on both stage and screen, she is the recipient of several accolades and one of the few individuals nominated for an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (EGOT), winning all but the Oscar.
What Is Cynthia Erivo’s Natural Hair Color?
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Cynthia Erivo's natural hair color is a mix of black and brown. In fact, her hair is naturally a classic dark brown. This is evident in her childhood photos, images from the early days of her career, and the times when she kept her hair natural (usually in protective styles like twists, braids, or afros) and didn't dye it. And if we look at Cynthia's childhood photos, you'll notice that her hair color is rich and deep, with loose curls framing her delicate face.
Why Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba?
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Cynthia Erivo is one of the few actors to have been nominated for an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) award. She is known for her rich voice, deep emotions, and versatile acting talent. Her role as Elphaba in Wicked is one of the most beloved and complex roles in modern musicals, and has been warmly received and highly anticipated by audiences.
Elphaba, also known as the "Wicked Witch of the West," is traditionally portrayed as having emerald green skin and long, flowing black hair. Hair is an important part of her silhouette, adding drama and mystery to her character. So, fans are curious about how Erivo's Elphaba will live up to this iconic image.
Does Cynthia Erivo Wear a Wig in Wicked?
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The answer is yes. Cynthia Erivo wore a wig in Wicked, as with most big fantasy movies, especially those based on Broadway shows, wigs are standard for character styling. In Wicked, Elphaba's look required not only her iconic green skin but also a carefully curated hairstyle to achieve a magical, otherworldly effect.
We can see Erivo in promotional videos and set photos with long, sleek black hair, which is very different from her signature natural short hair in real life. This shows that Cynthia Erivo wore a wig, and it was this wig that created Elphaba's classic look.
Why Use Wigs in Wicked?
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Character consistency
Elphaba’s look is instantly recognizable, thanks to the original Broadway musical, which famously featured her long, dark hair. Using a wig helps maintain visual continuity for audiences familiar with the story.
Hair protection
Like many black women in the entertainment industry, Cynthia Erivo often chooses to wear wigs to protect her natural hair during intense filming. Wearing a wig eliminates the hassle of styling, dying, or heat-treating hair every day, which can damage it.
Practicalities of filming
Filming a fantasy musical involves demanding physical scenes, weather conditions, and special effects (including green body paint). A wig ensures that the character’s hairstyle remains consistent and flawless from shot to shot, regardless of the elements.
Creative flexibility
Wigs allow stylists and directors to experiment with different lengths, textures, and volumes to find the look that best suits the character without altering the actor’s real hair.
What Wig Did Cynthia Erivo Wear in Wicked?
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Erivo didn't wear a regular wig, she wore a high-quality, custom-designed lace front wig. This wig is carefully handcrafted from high-quality human hair, often taking dozens of hours to complete. The high-definition HD lace wig creates a seamless, natural hairline, which is especially suitable for blending perfectly with Elphaba's green makeup.
Why Did Cynthia Erivo Choose a Lace Front Human Hair Wig?
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Lace front wigs are designed to mimic your natural hairline. The lace on the front of these wigs adds realism to your look and blends perfectly with your skin tone for the most natural look. Each wig is carefully tied by hand, usually one knot at a time. This allows the wig to be precisely adhered to the actor's forehead, directly over the green makeup.
If worn properly, the lace almost disappears, making Cynthia Erivo's hair look like it grew directly from her scalp, which is real and natural, and the lace front wig is also very breathable, making Cynthia Erivo very comfortable even when performing in a wig.
Another important feature of the lace front wig is that even under the strict monitoring of high-definition cameras, the lace can perfectly blend with the forehead to create a very natural hairline, which is crucial to maintaining the magical effect of Elphaba's green skin extending naturally to the hairline.
During the filming of "Wicked", a team of hairstylists and costume designers worked closely with Elivo Elphaba to ensure that her look was both visually impactful and perfectly fit the role, so the lace front wig was the first choice.
FAQs About Cynthia Erivo
1. Where was Cynthia Erivo Born and Raised?
Cynthia Erivo was born on January 8, 1987, in Stockwell, South London, England. She is of British-Nigerian descent.
2. What is Cynthia Erivo's Ancestry?
Her parents are Nigerian immigrants. She speaks proudly of her Nigerian ancestry and incorporates those elements into her style and music.
3. Is Cynthia Erivo Married? Does She Have Children?
As of late 2024, Cynthia Erivo is not publicly married. She also has no public children. She is very private about her love life.
4. Does Cynthia Erivo Have a Hair Condition?
Many people believe that Cynthia Erivo's hair loss is related to alopecia, but there is no medical evidence to prove it. She has never publicly admitted that she suffers from alopecia. Her decision to shave her head was based on personal preference, comfort, and artistic freedom.
5. Has Cynthia Erivo Ever Gone Viral?
Yes! During the press tour for Wicked, she and her co-star Ariana Grande went viral for a moment when they tenderly held hands during a touching interview. Oprah later imitated the move at the Tony Awards.
6. What Famous Roles Has Cynthia Erivo Played?
- Celie Harris (The Color Purple on Broadway & NBC Live)
- Harriet Tubman (Harriet)
- Holly Gibney (The Outsider HBO series, HBO's Stephen King's The Outsider)
- Aretha Franklin (Genius: Aretha - though the series focused more on her life than solely her performance)
- Elphaba (Upcoming Wicked film adaptations - Part 1 & Part 2)
7. What's Cynthia Erivo's Connection To Ariana Grande (Glinda)?
While portraying iconic rivals Elphaba and Glinda in the Wicked films, Erivo and Grande developed a close friendship. They frequently share affectionate posts about each other on social media, praise each other's talent publicly, and express deep mutual respect and admiration. Their off-screen bond is well-documented and genuine.
8. What are Cynthia Erivo's Passions Outside of Acting And Singing?
She is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, women's empowerment, and mental health awareness. She also expresses a love for fashion, literature, and visual art.
9. Does Cynthia Erivo Have Any Allergies?
She has a pineapple allergy. She's mentioned this in interviews when discussing food or traveling.
Conclusion
Cynthia Erivo wore a wig in Wicked. Wearing a wig not only pays homage to the character's heritage but also highlights Erivo's comfort, personal style, and authenticity as an actor.
Do you like Cynthia Erivo's transformation from bold to stunning? Are you looking forward to the latest storyline of “Wicked For Good”? Then be sure to support her when “Wicked For Good” is released! Go to the theater to see her stunning look and outstanding performance, and if you have any thoughts and feelings after watching it, please share them with us.