'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo laughs at critics of her playing Jesus in upcoming musical
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo doesn t see an issue with playing the role of Jesus Christ in an upcoming performance of Jesus Christ Superstar In a new interview with Billboard the actress laughed off outrage that she would be playing Jesus in an upcoming rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice s musical Why not she solicited Billboard when requested about people saying she shouldn t perform the role You can t please everyone BROADWAY STAR PATTI LUPONE SAYS TRUMP-LED KENNEDY CENTER 'SHOULD GET BLOWN UP'Erivo is set to perform in the rock opera at the upcoming Hollywood Bowl production of the musical that runs from August to August this year News that the actress would be Jesus caused debate for Christians and conservatives on social media last February At the time Christian pastor John K Amanchukwu Sr complained about the casting on social media stating With all due respect and humbly submitted Cynthia Erivo is too BALD BROWN and BI to play Jesus Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions Conservative Christian influencer Alexandra Lains posted her complaints about the casting decision stating Christianity seems to be the only religion that s never off limits for Hollywood to disrespect Cynthia Erivo a black woman as Jesus Christ Please stop with the lunacy JOHN LITHGOW SAYS TRUMP'S RETURN IS BIGGEST 'DISASTER' FOR THE ARTS SINCE COVID- The Billboard interview published on Monday noted that Erivo can t help but laugh at the outrage She justified taking the role and explained people will get over it once they see it It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off So hopefully they will come and realize Oh it s a musical the gayest place on Earth ' she mentioned Erivo was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in the hit musical Wicked as Elphaba Elsewhere during the interview the entertainer weighed in on President Donald Trump s overhaul of the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D C in February CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF MEDIA AND CULTURETrump fired several Kennedy Center board members including the president and chairman and replaced them with pro-Trump figures who then named the president as chairman The outlet declared that Erivo expressed dread over the new Kennedy Center changes She narrated Billboard I don t know who gains what from that I hope that it comes back she says It s really sad to have to watch this happen to it The Kennedy Center is supposed to be a space of creativity and art and music for everyone
