Cynthia Erivo defied more than gravity when she became Elphaba Thropp.
Initially, the actor found it hard to visualize himself playing the green character in the 2024 movie version of “Wicked,” opposite Ariana Grande as Glinda.
In essence, Alexia Khadime, who played the role from 2008 to 2010 and again in 2023, is one of the few Black women to portray the character extensively since the initial production over two decades ago. Given this, it’s not surprising that Cynthia believed she wouldn’t have the opportunity to play Elphaba on the big screen.
In her interview with Elle in November 2024, she expressed that living life in one’s own body makes you an instant outsider, or ‘other.’ She found it profoundly enriching to embody a character who, like herself, has been marginalized. She believes understanding this perspective is crucial, and she hopes her role will bring about transformation and change on various platforms.
She also acknowledged her African-American roots by choosing micro braids for Elphaba’s hairstyle. Similar to Cynthia, who was recognized with nominations for an Oscar, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and two SAG Awards for Wicked, many Black actresses have had to challenge conventions to seize their chance in the limelight.
For Halle Bailey, realizing her dream of playing a Disney princess as Princess Ariel in the 2023 live-action Little Mermaid came true. Yet, this role brought forth criticism from some fans who were accustomed to an historically white portrayal of the animated character. Amidst growing online backlash, Halle chose to focus on the supportive voices rather than the negative ones.
In an interview with Variety back in 2022, she expressed that it was heartening and aesthetically pleasing to listen to their words of support. She shared, “They told me, ‘You don’t grasp the magnitude of what this means for us, our community, and all the young Black and brown girls who will identify with you.’
Brandy, who portrayed the title character in the 1997 version of “Cinderella,” was also supporting and offering guidance to Halle during the controversy.
In her interview with Billboard in 2020, the singer emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive environment, staying optimistic, and living authentically for oneself. She also warned about the pitfalls of getting too consumed by others’ expectations within the industry.
Among many Black women, Cynthia, Halle, and Brandy are some examples who faced challenges to shine on the big screen. Keep reading to discover more trailblazers who made a mark with exceptional performances.
Cynthia expressed great excitement about highlighting Elphaba’s tale of marginalization and resilience. In an interview with Variety in November 2024, she said, “I see it as a heartfelt tribute to those who feel unusual or out of place, to every Black woman who has entered a room and felt uninvited.
As a devoted admirer, I gleefully donned the character, taking great pride in it. In a nod to my Black heritage, I fashioned the traditionally wavy witch’s hair into intricate micro braids, celebrating my identity and adding a unique twist to the role.
Cynthia mentioned to the media outlet last month, ‘I suggested changing her hair into micro braids since I believed it would still allow for movement,’ she explained. ‘This way, you could keep the length, but there’d be a unique texture that deviated from what Elphaba typically sports on stage. It was a symbolic link between me as a Black woman and Elphaba as a green character.’
In regards to the plot, the Tony Award recipient believed it crucial to delve into the intricate facets representing the Black community’s experiences.
She shared with Refinery29 that she’s spent time embracing her unique self and feeling at ease walking into a room as the only one. People might not initially perceive beauty in her, but she has learned to discover it within herself and accept all aspects of who she is. This self-discovery allowed her to see her own beauty and confidently call herself beautiful, regardless of others’ opinions.
She expressed, “I desired for Elphaba that when she enters a room, she feels at home in her own skin, as it’s something she’s always known. Confidence is crucial for her, or else she wouldn’t step out of the house. It seemed unfair to me that she wouldn’t feel confident about her appearance if it’s what she sees daily.
In the year 2023, Halle, who played the role of Princess Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” found herself deeply resonating with the tale of the mermaid.
She shared with Variety in August 2022 that her feeling of yearning and self-discovery was something I could relate to. She had a clear vision of where she was heading, and she was determined not to be hindered by anyone.
In the face of numerous criticisms, Halle underscored the significance of varied portrayals, particularly within children’s entertainment.
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Amidst a barrage of criticism, Halle highlighted the necessity of diverse depictions, notably in the realm of children’s content.
She further mentioned, “That could have significantly boosted my self-confidence and faith in myself, and had a profound impact on me as a whole. To others, they might appear trivial, but for us, they hold immense importance.
She approached her role with great dedication, working out at 5 a.m. daily and devoting numerous hours to mastering stunts.
In an interview with USA Today in May 2023, she explained that she was maintaining her balance using her abdominal muscles while performing both singing and acting, all while projecting an appearance of calm stability. She likened this to a workout, such as holding a plank position, and said that she aimed to make it seem effortless, as if she were simply going about a normal day, perhaps even swimming in the ocean daily.
Despite captivating audiences as Michelle Jones (MJ) alongside Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, some critics expressed reservations towards the portrayal of an interracial romantic interest.
In earlier versions of the Marvel comics, Spider-Man’s romantic interests have traditionally been Caucasian. Kirsten Dunst portrayed Mary Jane Watson opposite Tobey Maguire in Sam Raimi’s trilogy, and Emma Stone played Gwen Stacy in Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man series.
Zendaya commented on the criticism faced by The Hollywood Reporter in November 2016, stating that people will respond to anything. She further clarified that in a realm of fiction, nothing concerning the character’s identity is true. She went on to say, “It’s as if you’re inventing things and then reacting to those fabrications.
Regardless of any criticisms, the actress from the show “Challengers”, who became engaged to Tom in January 2025, understands that her role reflects real-life circumstances.
She went on to say, “It’s understandable that there will be uproar about that, since some individuals seem to lag behind in accepting change. But let me tell you, the America I experience as I walk the streets of New York is diverse and a true reflection of the world we live in today. It’s beautiful and it’s what we should strive for. So, if you haven’t already noticed, you might need to open your eyes a bit more.
1997’s film adaptation of Cinderella saw Brandy gracefully wearing a diamond tiara that matched her braids and a snug baby blue gown. However, it was more than just her charming royal outfit that stood out; as the “I Do It For You” singer, she brought representation to the forefront with an unanticipated portrayal of a princess.
In an interview with Good Morning America in August 2022, she mused about the significance of the situation being incredibly impactful for the world to witness, particularly for Black people. She embodied a culture that is captivating, and her portrayal resonated deeply with me because it aligned so well with my vision for Cinderella’s representation.
As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that the impact of that film transcended beyond the screen for many young Black girls. It altered their self-perception in a profound way. To this very moment, I frequently hear them expressing, ‘Because of your story, I now believe I can embody the grace and strength of a princess.’
Despite Brandy’s groundbreaking part in the color-blind casting film being significant, she confessed that she wasn’t fully aware of its importance during production.
She told Vulture in February 2021 that she knew it was unique, but she hadn’t fully grasped its uniqueness. When she finally saw the completed project, she was amazed, saying, “Wow, this is extraordinary! I’ve never seen anything like it before.” It moved her deeply, and it felt as if she wasn’t even watching herself as Cinderella.
As a diehard fan, I’ve always been convinced of Tessa Thomson’s worthiness in embodying Valkyrie, from her electrifying performance in Thor: Ragnarok, to her pivotal role in Avengers: Endgame, and beyond to Thor: Love and Thunder and The Marvels. Despite the occasional criticism that she didn’t match the comic book character’s appearance, Tessa has consistently shown she could be a formidable warrior, donning her armor with grace and power.
She clarified to Entertainment Weekly back in May 2017 that there are numerous discussions happening, especially now, concerning representation in films. The drawback with many fantasy movies is that they originate from source materials which were written during a time when representation wasn’t a key consideration. This includes not only creating characters that mirror our real world, but also the way these characters are portrayed.
In fact, she pointed out that in the comics, Valkyrie’s outfit is basically “a bathing suit.”
She questioned, “What does it mean to have a powerful gaze?” she continued. “It might be appropriate for her to wear trousers, considering the nature of her work. Additionally, we’ve discussed her identifying with tomboyish characteristics and embodying a certain masculine essence, all while remaining distinctly feminine.
Initially, Rue from the Hunger Games novels was depicted as having a dark complexion. However, this came as a surprise to many when Amandla Stenberg portrayed District 11’s tribute in the 2012 movie. Interestingly, some fans felt that her character’s demise seemed “less emotional” due to her race.
In an interview with BuzzFeed News back in 2018, she shared that although it was painful when she was 12 years old, it wasn’t unexpected. The peculiarity of the entire scenario was that Rue was one of the few characters I could locate within my cherished content who was actually portrayed as Black. (In other words, it wasn’t surprising or shocking because she was one of the rare characters in her favorite content who was written to be Black.)
Through that encounter, Amandla learned a valuable lesson. Following this experience, she has been given opportunities to act in films such as “Bodies Bodies Bodies”, “The Hate U Give” and “Everything, Everything”.
She shared that there are increasingly significant roles for Black actresses, many of which are lead positions, as well as projects where Black individuals hold key creative roles. She finds this development extremely exciting and feels fortunate to be growing up during such an empowering period.
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2025-02-22 20:17