Cynthia Erivo Opens Up About Her Bold Look in Wicked: For Good

NEW YORK CITY, NY – Cynthia Erivo, the star of the upcoming film “Wicked: For Good,” recently shared the story behind her decision to shave her head. Speaking in a conversation in October 2024, the 38-year-old actress discussed the extensive transformation process she underwent to portray Elphaba, the green Wicked Witch of the West.

Erivo revealed that it takes her between two to four hours to get into character, which includes wearing multiple wigs to create her signature look. She decided to shave her head to make it easier for the costume team when attaching the wigs. “My beauty doesn’t stem from how I do my hair,” she said.

Reflecting on her previous hairstyles, she shared, “I was doing it for such a long time. I remember saying to myself, ‘I’d like to walk into a room and have people just see my face.'” This bold decision has led to her embracing a “bald and beautiful” style that she plans to maintain for now.

Erivo’s choice has sparked a lot of online commentary, with many questioning why she opts for a bald look. She addressed these remarks directly, saying, “Why does it bother you so much that I don’t want to wander around with blonde tresses? I like my bald head. There’s nothing wrong with my hair — it grows in very fast. I just like my face.”

On November 27, Erivo will appear in New York City as part of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where she is set to deliver a special performance. The event will be simulcast on NBC starting at 8:30 a.m. across all time zones.