Cynthia Erivo breaks silence over ‘Wicked’ director John M. Chu’s Oscar snub

Cynthia Erivo is sharing her disappointment over Wicked director John M. Chu getting snubbed at the 2025 Oscars, despite the movie receiving 10 nominations.

Erivo herself is nominated for best actress, while co-star Ariana Grande has bagged a nom for best supporting actress.

“I don’t know. I wish people understood just how much work has to go into creating a big, giant behemoth like ‘Wicked,’” Erivo told Variety.

“None of that can happen without his vision. It just isn’t possible,” she noted. “He is the one who can see who is right for this, who cast us in these roles, who asked for nine million tulips, who says he wants to build a real set so it feels embedded in reality. It’s him! He says he wants the camera right in Elphaba’s face when she walks down the steps in the Ozdust Ballroom.”

“There is a kind of vision that you have to have in order to be in control of something that could run away from you very quickly if you don’t know what to do,” added The Outsider star.

She noted that there’s hope for Chu since “we have another film coming and he made two films at the same time,” referring to Wicked: For Good.

Erivo further praised the director, saying: “I think he is an exquisite director. The people that he put in charge of every department! That also takes skill.”

The Tony winner also revealed that despite not getting a nomination himself, Chu is elated over all the nominations Wicked has scored.

Cynthia Erivo said John M. Chu is “so grateful for every nomination there is, and for best picture. That makes him happy. It’s the big picture. If he is happy, then I am happy. I want that for him.”