Social media is buzzing after Wicked’s record-breaking opening weekend, and Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba is at the center of it all. The conversation isn’t just about her incredible performance but also the intentionality behind her microbraid hairstyle. In a recent interview, Erivo shared the story behind this groundbreaking choice, explaining how it connects to her identity as a Black woman.
For more about the film, check out our article about Wicked’s press run.
The Collaboration
To bring her vision to life, Erivo collaborated with hairstylist and makeup artist Sim Camps. This marks another creative partnership between the two after they worked together on the film Luther. Erivo expressed her excitement about bringing an element of her authenticity to Elphaba:
I wanted to get microbraids. As a Black woman, I wanted it to be connected to [me].
Who Is Elphaba?
Elphaba Thropp, famously known as the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz, takes center stage in Wicked, the 2024 film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical. This story reimagines the world of Oz through the perspectives of Elphaba and Glinda, the “Good Witch.”
Elphaba is ostracized due to her green skin, a condition linked to her mother drinking a mysterious green elixir on the night of her conception. Her emerald hue draws striking parallels to the treatment of marginalized groups, particularly Black people. This makes the story resonate even more.
Styling Elphaba’s Hair
The process showcased the versatility of braids. Camps highlighted Erivo’s vision with highlights, colors, and intricate styling to create a look that was both magical and deeply personal. Erivo emphasized:
I wanted to show how versatile braids could be, and how much fun you could have with them, and how emotional the hair could be.
Black Representation in Fairy Tales
This choice adds to a growing moment of Black representation in fairy tale adaptations. Halle Bailey’s locs as Ariel in The Little Mermaid sparked similar conversations earlier this year, and Brandi’s microbraids in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella remain iconic decades later. Erivo’s Elphaba joins this legacy, proving that Black hairstyles belong in every realm, even the land of Oz.
With her microbraids, Cynthia Erivo has redefined what Elphaba—and Black women—can look like in fantasy storytelling. The choice wasn’t just about a hairstyle; it was about authenticity, versatility, and representation.
As Wicked continues to smash records, Elphaba’s microbraids remind us that representation matters and that Black women’s beauty belongs everywhere, even in the most unexpected places.
Check out the full British Blacklist interview where Erivo discusses developing Elphaba:
