I felt my humanity was bastardised’: Cynthia Erivo says reaction to Ariana Grande red carpet incident rooted in racism | Movies

Cynthia Erivo has spoken out regarding a distressing incident at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good. The actress stepped in to protect co-star Ariana Grande after a red-carpet invader grabbed the singer, sparking a wider conversation about racial stereotypes.

The Singapore Premiere Incident

During the event at Universal Studios Singapore, an individual identified as Johnson Wen jumped a barrier and rushed toward the stars. Erivo stated that both she and Grande were “terrified” during the encounter.

Erivo acted instinctively to push Wen away, noting that he would not let go of Grande. She emphasized that personal space is a fundamental right, regardless of whether a stranger feels they know a celebrity.

Following the event, Wen, who has a history of disrupting public events, was sentenced to nine days in jail.

Addressing Racial Stereotypes

The aftermath of the event saw a surge of social media commentary suggesting Erivo acted as Grande’s “bodyguard.” Erivo has strongly objected to this narrative, linking it to the “insidious nature of how we view Black women.”

She noted that the commentary focused on her physique, shape and the fact that she was bald. Erivo argued that these physical traits led to an assumption that she was meant to be controlling or protecting.

Erivo expressed her belief that the public reaction would likely have been different had the roles been reversed.

Impact on Oscar Campaigning

The emotional toll of the incident led Erivo to feel that her “humanity had been bastardised.” she admitted to being reluctant to campaign for Oscars for Wicked: For Good.

Erivo stated she did not want to put herself through the process because of the assumptions made about women who look like her. She felt that an instinctive act of protection had been twisted into something it was not.

Box Office and Award Performance

The tension surrounding the sequel comes amid a shift in commercial performance. The first Wicked film earned $765m (£571m) worldwide and won two Oscars.

In contrast, Wicked: For Good has performed markedly worse, taking $541m (£404m) at the box office. The sequel received no Oscar nominations.

Future Implications

Given Erivo’s reluctance to engage with the awards circuit following this event, her future approach to promotional campaigns may shift. She could potentially prioritize environments that offer more stringent security and personal boundaries.

The conversation regarding the treatment of Black women in the public eye may continue to evolve, and this incident could serve as a catalyst for further discussions on red-carpet safety and racial bias in media reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the individual that disrupted the premiere? The invader was identified as Johnson Wen, who has a history of disrupting public events and was sentenced to nine days in jail. Why did Cynthia Erivo feel the social media reaction was insidious? Erivo believes the “bodyguard” labels were based on her physique, shape, and baldness, reflecting biased assumptions about Black women. How did the box office of the first Wicked film compare to the sequel? The first film earned $765m (£571m) and won two Oscars, while the sequel earned $541m (£404m) and received no Oscar nominations.

How should red-carpet security evolve to better protect performers from unexpected intrusions?