Ariana Grande responds to Cynthia Erivo's 'Wicked' poster comments

Ariana Grande commented on Cynthia Erivo's recent reaction to a fan-edited “Wicked” poster.

“I think it's very complicated because I find AI so contradictory and problematic at times, but I think it's just such a huge adjustment period,” Grande, 31, admitted at the Academy Museum Gala in Los Angeles on October 19 Variety. “ This is something much bigger than us and the fans will have fun and make their changes.”

Last week, Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the upcoming film Wicked, criticized a fan-altered version of the film's poster.

In the original poster, Erivo's character's full face is visible as she poses next to Grande's character Glinda. However, in the fan-released poster, the top half of Erivo's face is covered by a hat and her lips are red instead of green.

Erivo called the fan-altered image “deeply hurtful” and said it “demeans” her by hiding her facial features.

“I am a real human being who has chosen to look directly through the camera at you, the viewer… because without words, we communicate with our eyes,” the actress and singer wrote in part in her June 16 Instagram story .October.

She also criticized an AI-generated video showing Elphaba and Glinda fighting that made the rounds online, calling it “terrible.”

Many fans came to Erivo's defense.

“Black women deserve better. We deserve more than to have our identities erased, minimized or altered when we show up to work,” one person wrote on the X Platform. “I was deeply saddened when I saw the 'fan' poster edit of Wicked, even before I saw Cynthia Erivo's response.”

“Cynthia Erivo’s reaction highlights the importance of representation and authenticity,” another X user wrote. “Her words emphasize how art should respect the identities of those involved. It's important to honor the original work and the people behind it. Her perspective adds depth to the conversation about creativity and respect in the industry.”

Other fans disagreed, saying the edited poster was simply an homage to the original “Wicked” Broadway poster, an illustration showing Elphaba with her eyes covered.

When asked by Variety if fan-edited images can sometimes go “too far,” Grande agreed.

“I think so. And I have a lot of respect for my sister Cynthia and I love her so much,” she said. “It's just a big adjustment period. It's so much inspiration for something that's so much bigger than us.”