Cynthia Erivo says reaction to Singapore red-carpet incident rooted in racism
The Story
Cynthia Erivo has stated that reactions to an incident at the Singapore premiere of *Wicked: For Good*, where she intervened to protect co-star Ariana Grande from a red-carpet invader, revealed “the insidious nature of how we view Black women.” In an interview with Variety, Erivo said she and Grande were “terrified” when Johnson Wen jumped a barrier and grabbed Grande, and that social media responses, including jokes that she was Grande’s “bodyguard,” made her reluctant to campaign for Oscars for the film.
Key Facts
- Erivo and Grande were “terrified” when Johnson Wen jumped a barrier at Universal Studios Singapore and rushed toward them.
- Erivo said Wen “wouldn’t let go” of Grande, and she kept pushing him to get him off.
- Wen, who has a history of disrupting public events, was sentenced to nine days in jail.
- Social media responses included suggestions that Erivo was Grande’s “bodyguard,” which Erivo objects to.
- Erivo said the reaction was about her physique, shape, baldness, and appearance, leading to assumptions that she was bigger than Grande and had to control or protect.
- Erivo stated: “I just felt like my humanity had been bastardised.”
- The first *Wicked* film earned $765m worldwide and won two Oscars; the sequel earned $541m and received no Oscar nominations.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
The article itself addresses the misconception that Erivo was simply acting as Grande’s “bodyguard,” rather than acting out of a protective instinct in a terrifying situation.
Key Figures
- Cynthia Erivo, actor in *Wicked: For Good*
- Ariana Grande, actor in *Wicked: For Good*
- Johnson Wen, individual who jumped a barrier and grabbed Grande
Sources: The Guardian
