Cynthia Erivo shares first thing she did after landing ‘Wicked’ role

Cynthia Erivo recently recalled a sweet moment with Idina Menzel on the Wicked set.

While Erivo plays the role of Elphaba in the movie adaptation of Wicked, Menzel was the one who originated the role in the musical.

Speaking with Elle, Erivo shared that the first thing she did after getting the role was calling Menzel.

She said, “When I got the film, I contacted her, because I believe that if you take on a role that is originated by someone, and it was theirs, it’s (their) baby.”

The actress went on to say, “It’s a big deal to have to watch someone else also take it and make it their own. I wouldn’t have felt right going into it without going back to the source,” adding, “So, I was like, ‘I need to speak to Idina. I would like to touch base with her first, please.’”

However, Menzel only advised Erivo to “just go and enjoy it. Be everything you need to be.”

Additionally, Erivo also talked about having Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda in the Broadway show, visiting on the set, saying, “to have them on set dressed as those two characters was such a huge deal,”

She also added, “It was (Idina’s) idea to adjust my hat. I’m feeling choked up talking about it, because that’s the iconography, the hat. For Idina to be like, ‘I’m going to fix this hat. I’m going to send you away,’ was one of the most wonderful moments ever, because it really is a nod. It’s yours, go ahead, do it.”