Cynthia Erivo talks about ‘Elphaba perfume’ and intense scene with Ariana Grande

With an opening weekend with a significant gain of 76 million dollars (more than 408 million reais), outside the United States alone, Wicked: Parte II can be considered a worldwide phenomenon. In conversation with director Jon M. Chu and the actress who plays the protagonist Elphaba, Cynthia Erivo, details about filming, cast interaction and preparation were revealed to Enoe Lopes Pontes, film and series critic and columnist for Aratu On.

Adaptation of the musical of the same name, directed by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman, the work also originates from the novel by Gregory Maguire. Published in the 1990s, the book called Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West influenced theatrical and cinematographic productions.

With high expectations from viewers, after the first part of the film Wickeddirector Jon M. Chu explains that the biggest difference between the two feature films is the level of greatness and maturity of each one. He also reveals how he was aware that the second half needed to be great.

For Chu, the fact that the previous production contained a more adolescent and “sugar” plot would guarantee its success. Its continuation, according to the artist, is where relationships transform, there are more shadows and a plot that needs to be structured and closed. Within the challenges encountered along the way, the director explains that one of the biggest gains of his work was his choice to let the actresses improvise and not be so tied to the script.

From this experience, he says he sees the need to trust his team and offer creative freedom to everyone, so that there is space for more spontaneous and free creation. “And this doesn’t just apply to filming. It also applies to editing, with an editor who understands this and doesn’t try to meddle”, he reveals. Chu’s direction was essential in developing the role of the witch Elphaba, according to Cynthia Erivo.

After choosing to record the two films together, Cynthia states that she created a series of strategies, alone and with the team, and explained how all the support from the management to achieve this goal was essential. For her, the biggest creative impulse was the rehearsals before filming. Erivo explains that from this process it was possible to create a map of Elphaba’s emotions, which she used whenever she needed to perform a scene.

Furthermore, the artist says that the makeup contributed to this understanding of the exact moment Elphaba would be in. Finally, personal strategies also came into vogue:

“As a complement, I would wear different perfumes to remind me where I was, what place I am. Elphaba, when young, had a floral perfume that I would wear. When older, she had a deeper scent that, interestingly enough, was called ‘Witch Magic’. I had a playlist that prepared me for each character. And all of this allowed me to mentally separate the two sides.”

According to film critic Yasmine Evaristo, the success of Wicked It is not recent, and has been going on since the theater, whether in the Broadway or Brazilian musical versions, mainly with the LGBTQIAPN+ audience. However, Evaristo believes that the arrival of names like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo increased attention to the production. Furthermore, for the specialist, the fact that within dramaturgy the main focus is on readapting an already known story also increased this potential for fame.

Evaristo remembers that other previous plots have already revolved around this revisit to the past of a villain, seeking to show new layers and perspectives of these characters. Cases such as the live-action version of Cruella, Maleficent, Hannibal Lecter, among others, make it clear to her how the audience searches for this type of narrative. “Wicked enter a little into this space of trying to understand why villains are villains”, he explains.

The love for the figures of Elphaba and Glinda from the theatrical show was already present in Luana Freitas, a fan of the fictional universe of Wicked. For the young woman, the plot is a possibility to reflect on fighting for what you believe in and getting out of a bubble that can crystallize your outlook on the world. Freitas sees metaphors within this fantastic universe that help her analyze society.

Within the real world, Luana says she comes across several situations in the world that connect her with what is portrayed within the story of Wicked. “If we look a little deeper, we see that Oz is here, it exists and is full of “Wizards” and exclusion. Wicked embraces all those who feel different and are willing and able to defend their own ideals and ‘defy gravity’”, he adds.

Check out the interview with Cynthia Erivo:

Enoe: With this big transformation of Elphaba, from part 1 to part 2, what was the process of building this as an actress like – in relation to the body, gestures and everything?

Cynthia: Thanks to the wonderful rehearsal process, we were able to map out the character’s emotional arc from beginning to end. Once I started to understand where she was going, I was able to compartmentalize what was happening. Because we filmed everything together and we didn’t know where we would actually be, but by knowing what the main point was, I could extract the emotions from each scene and store them as a kind of memory.

That’s where makeup comes in. Makeup is very different. The physical transformation itself is very different. When all the makeup is applied, you know where you are. When the costume is put on, you know where it is. And, for me, as a complement, I use different perfumes to situate myself. Young Elphaba had a floral perfume that I would wear. The older one had a deeper aroma that, interestingly enough, was called “witch’s magic”, which suited the moment when she is at the height of her power and I wanted something with more presence.

I also had a playlist that prepared me for each version of the character. One part was more harrowing and emotional; the other, more anger and intensity. All of this helped me mentally separate the two sides. And we had an incredible director guiding us the entire time. Jon M. Chu is one of the most wonderful people I could have ever wanted to work with. He was always there, supporting. And to make that change, you need someone to hold your hand through the process. So there were many different elements (which contributed to the construction of the character).

Enoe: Director Jon M. Chu said the “For Good” scene was very intense. What was it like building this scene with Ariana?

Cynthia: It was very intense and emotional. Everyone was very respectful during those days, because it’s a long way to go (to sing), and the scene doesn’t end with the song. It ends with us. It ends with me putting her in the closet and us finally saying “goodbye.” These were days that meant a lot to us. We spent a lot of time there and put our hearts into the scene.

Watch the Wicked: Part 2 trailer below

About Enoe Lopes Pontes

Doctor and master in Communication, graduated in Performing Arts and Social Communication, Enoe Lopes Pontes is a researcher, journalist and film and series critic. He is a member of ABRACCINE and Coletivo Elviras. Furthermore, she has been, for four years, Golden Globe voter.

His last articles published in Aratu On were about the series “Os Desobedientes” and “Pssica”, both available on Netflix.

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