Washington [US], April 20: Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the upcoming film Wicked: Part One, recently reflected on her bold transformation for the role — including shaving her head — during a candid conversation at the Canva Create event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
According to People magazine, Erivo described the experience of seeing herself with a shaved head for the first time as “open and vulnerable,” but also freeing. “I like how much of a blank canvas it is, and I like that there’s nothing but my eyes,” she shared. The dramatic change has helped her feel more connected to herself: “I feel more in my body, in myself.”
Erivo also reminisced about her past hairstyles, including colorful braids. She recalled sporting white and red braids at one point, saying, “You couldn’t tell me that it wasn’t the best hairstyle I had ever done.” Over time, she transitioned to shorter hair to let her face be more visible when entering a room.
As Elphaba, Erivo worked closely with hairstylist Sim Camps to bring the character’s iconic green look to life. They collaborated with a wig maker Erivo had worked with 12 years ago to create a realistic green wig that seamlessly blended with her scalp. “We turned the lace on the wig green… so when it was on me, it disappeared,” Erivo recalled.
Beyond the physical transformation, Erivo discussed her deeper approach to acting. She emphasized her desire to empathize with the characters she plays, even if she doesn’t initially like them. “Sometimes if I don’t like them, that’s also the challenge — to find empathy.”
She also reflected on how Wicked pushed her limits: “Is it going to make me work harder than I normally do? Is it going to make me challenge how much I can do?” The role of Elphaba, she said, helped her explore new creative boundaries.
Erivo will return as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Wicked: Part One, which is slated to release in theatres on November 21.