Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are captivating audiences as Wicked hits theaters this week, but a viral conversation on Black Twitter points to an uncomfortable truth: major British newspapers seem to have erased Erivo from their promotions. Despite Erivo playing the lead role, the press has prominently featured Ariana Grande—and Erivo is nowhere to be seen.
Erivo and Grande have been making waves on an epic press tour for the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked. Social media has been buzzing with memes and tweets, dissecting everything from their red-carpet looks to their zany interviews. Fans are even raving about Elphaba’s microbraids. So, to see prominent UK publications like the Daily Telegraph fail to visually represent Cynthia Erivo feels glaringly dismissive.
The Viral Tweet That Sparked the Conversation
The discourse began when X user @BalusaTrish shared images of three British newspapers showcasing Wicked on their front pages. Each prominently displayed a photo of Ariana Grande, while Cynthia Erivo, the film’s star, was completely omitted.
Debates Over Cynthia Erivo’s Absence
The reactions were divided. Some argued that Ariana Grande, a global pop star, naturally commands more attention in the press due to her larger fan base. Others, however, saw the omission as part of a broader pattern of erasing dark-skinned Black women from major narratives.
X user @TheTitanBaddie likened the situation to Meghan Markle’s experiences with the British media. The British press has never hidden its disdain for Black women in the spotlight.
The Duchess of Sussex recently described herself as one of the “most bulled [people] in the world.” Since her debut with Prince Harry, Meghan has faced relentless scrutiny from the media. Everything from her age to her facial expressions became fodder for critique.
Interestingly, Markle has attributed much of her mistreatment to her status as an American, rather than directly to her race—adding another layer to the conversation around Erivo’s omission.
Cynthia Erivo’s Complicated Legacy
X user @michelle_byoung pointed out the irony of Cynthia Erivo being British:
The Stockwell, London native has made controversial remarks about Black Americans in the past, which has complicated her relationship with some fans. In 2018 Erivo came under fire for old tweets that appeared to be mocking African Americans.
While promoting film Harriet in 2019, Erivo stated that her “ghetto American” statement was taken out of context. Nevertheless, many came to her defense, pointing out the hypocrisy of erasing a dark-skinned Black British woman from a major cultural moment.
The Bigger Picture
Cynthia Erivo’s exclusion from Wicked promotions by British outlets raises serious questions about media representation. As the lead actress, her absence highlights a troubling pattern. Why does the British press so often sideline dark-skinned Black women, even when they are homegrown talent?
Some argue that Ariana Grande’s global fame explains the focus on her. However, others see this as another example of how dark-skinned Black women are erased from major conversations. Adding to the irony is that Erivo herself is British. Her exclusion from the spotlight in her own country feels especially pointed.
This Black Twitter debate is a stark reminder of the ongoing need for fair representation in media. Regardless of past controversies, Erivo’s talent and lead role in Wicked deserve recognition. The hope is that this moment sparks change and pushes the media to celebrate more diverse voices.
