Why Cynthia Erivo Needed Prosthetic Ears for Wicked
Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and More Best Red Carpet Moments From the ‘Wicked’ Premiere
Cynthia Erivo was all ears when it came to ways she could commit to her role in Wicked.
The Tony Award winner—who portrays Elphaba opposite Ariana Grande’s Glinda the Good Witch in the film adaptation of the Broadway show—is known for her intricate nail art and elaborate ear piercings, but the movie musical called for the actress to make some temporary changes to her style.
“Because my ears are covered in piercings,” Cynthia told her mom in a Nov. 7 behind-the-scenes video shared to the film’s official Instagram, “instead of taking out all the piercings, we put prosthetic over it so that it covers up my ear. So my ear is underneath the [prosthetic] ear.”
And Cynthia was quick to calm her mom’s worries, saying, “It won’t hurt me when I take it off.”
But the fake ears aren’t the only change Cynthia—who also stars alongside Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh and Ethan Slater in the film—underwent to play Elphaba. The 37-year-old also wore full-body green makeup.