Wicked Star Cynthia Erivo Sets The Record Straight On Elphaba’s 'Sex Cardigan'
Cynthia Erivo has provided some clarity on one of the more unexpected talking points of Wicked For Good – Elphaba’s so-called “sex cardigan”.
The three-time Oscar nominee, who plays Elphaba in both Wicked movies, took the opportunity to set the record straight about the costume choice, which she sports during the romantic duet As Long As You’re Mine.
During a recent interview with Deadline, Cynthia explained that the original plan for the love scene had been for Elphaba to be wearing her iconic hat, coat and cape, which the British star described as her character’s “armour”.
“I thought a couple of things,” she continued. “One, why, if she was in a space that was her own, where she felt the most safe and comfortable, would she still be in her armour?
“And two, when do we have an opportunity to see her green from head to toe? When do we get to be reminded that it’s not just makeup?”
When the sequel hit the big screen, Wicked fans were quick to pick up on what has come to be known as Elphaba’s “sex cardigan”, which she throws over some black lingerie for her duet with Jonathan Bailey’s Fieryo before they spend their first night together.
Cynthia elaborated that, for her, the “sex cardigan” and the whole As Long As You’re Mine scene were about the audience seeing Elphaba “as someone vulnerable, soft, sometimes awkward and anxious”, compared to how she’d already been depicted in Wicked.
“I just wanted something that removed the armour for a second, while, yes, showing you a more sensual, more connected side of her,” she said before addressing the sexual connotations of the cardigan.
“The aim was not to turn her into a sexual object, but instead a softer human being worthy of being loved and having an intimate moment with someone,” Cynthia explained.
Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell has previously explained his decision behind the cardigan, saying that it came down to what Elpheba would have access to in her treehouse.
It’s perhaps no wonder that something as seemingly innocuous as a cardigan is getting so much airtime, as Wicked For Good is storming the box office and becoming the highest-grossing Broadway adaptation of all time.