Disgusting! Reactions Trail Decision To Cast Cynthia Erivo As Jesus

The casting of Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar has sparked controversy, with some calling it “blasphemous” while others are praising her talent.

Award-winning actress and singer Cynthia Erivo is set to take on the role of Jesus Christ in an upcoming stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from fans, with some criticizing the decision and others praising Erivo’s talent.

According to Variety, the musical, created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, will be performed at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. Erivo, excited about the role, took to Instagram to share her anticipation, writing, “Just a little busy this Summer, can’t wait.”

This is not the first time Erivo has played a religious role. In 2020, she portrayed Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the musical, where she performed the well-known song “I Don’t Know How to Love Him.”

The production will run from August 1 to August 3, with more casting details to be announced later. Sergio Trujillo has been named director and choreographer, while Tony winner Stephen Oremus will serve as musical director and conductor.

Erivo’s casting has caused a stir online. Some fans feel portraying Jesus as a woman is inappropriate, while others argue that her vocal ability makes her a perfect fit.

One critic on X wrote, “Disgusting. They are just trying to make a mockery of Christianity.” Another added, “Cynthia should be more careful about the roles she gets. This is just plain disrespectful.”

Others expressed frustration with Hollywood, with one user writing, “We really need to boycott Hollywood.”

However, Erivo’s supporters are eager to see her in the role. One fan shared, “Cynthia Erivo as Jesus? That’s going to be a powerhouse performance! Can’t wait to see how she brings that role to life.”

Another added, “I’m here for it, THAT VOICE can have any role it wants. Long as Cynthia is singing, I don’t give a damn.”

A third user defended the casting, saying, “People are going to have things to say, but I don’t care. She’s gonna kill this.”

Erivo, who was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Elphaba in Wicked, has often spoken about the challenges she faced in the industry. She shared that her journey to success was difficult, partly driven by a deep desire “to be loved” after being abandoned by her father as a child.

Discussing Wicked, she said, “There’s a deep understanding of what it feels like when you don’t fit, what it feels like to constantly want to be accepted and not be accepted.”

She also compared her role in the film to real-life struggles, adding, “The green skin is like the umbrella under which the ‘other’ lives. So yes, it’s a conversation about racism, but it’s also a conversation about anyone who’s been othered. It’s a conversation about queerness.”

Erivo has spoken openly about embracing her identity as a dark-skinned Black woman in Hollywood. In an interview with CBS News, she said she had to learn to “finally own how I look.”

She explained, “Well, I think we’re not necessarily told that, you know, dark-skinned Black girls are the prettiest girls.”

She credited her mother for helping her see her own beauty, adding, “The only person that really is telling you, thankfully, is your mother. It’s up to you to figure out that for yourself, and to start owning what beauty is to you.”

Despite the controversy surrounding her latest role, Erivo remains focused on her craft. With Jesus Christ Superstar set to open in August and Wicked: For Good hitting theaters in November, 2024 is shaping up to be a major year for the talented actress.

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