Cynthia Erivo’s new role as Jesus at the Hollywood Bowl’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” has some Black folks online in shambles. Clips of her performance went viral over the weekend, and now, the Black internet is sounding the alarms for what they deem to be straight up blasphemy and disrespect. Let’s unpack.
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In February, Erivo’s casting to play the Savior was announced as part of the amphitheater’s summer season lineup reveal and whispers of her controversial casting was immediate. Folks weren’t having it then, and they’re certainly not having it now and they took to social media to air out their grievances.
“Jesus Christ will not be mocked,” one TikToker said. He began to rebuke the production and the “Black queer actress” in the name of Jesus. “This is blasphemy. Christians are outraged because they say Jesus Christ is a man and should be portrayed as such. It’s pure mockery to have a queer woman portray our Lord and Savior, but that’s always been Hollywood’s mission– to disrespect Christianity.” He went to say that “the things she stands for are anti-Christ,” pointing out the fact that “no other religion is disrespected like Christianity.”
Online critics said casting a woman as a traditionally male figure like Jesus is “disrespectful.” Others noted Erivo’s identity as a Black queer woman fueled the mockery of Christianity.
A clip of a bald-headed Erivo with long, stiletto nails went viral, where she’s singing alongside “American Idol” alum Adam Lambert who plays Judas (one of Jesus’ disciples in the Bible who betrayed Him before He was crucified.)
One TikTok user also rebuked the production “because it’s some stuff you don’t do. I don’t care if you believe or don’t believe, it’s some stuff you don’t do.”
Folks also shared their thoughts on X.
One person called both Erivo and Lambert an “abomination to God.”
Others called out how “weird” she looks, especially in the role as Jesus, but “That’s what they want, everything up side down. To them good is evil and evil is good,” one person wrote.
Another person called Erivo’s hands “the creepiest things.”
Others called the casting of a “bald Black lesbian” as “repulsive, sacrilegious” and “demonic” that “tainted Ted Neeley’s legacy.” Neely played the title role in the film adaptation of the rock opera in 1973.
Many critics labeled the British actress’ casting as a cynical move by Hollywood to push a “woke” agenda, suggesting it’s designed to provoke controversy rather than serve artistic integrity. But supporters of Erivo argue that much of the backlash is rooted in racism and homophobia, noting that the musical has a history of casting Black people, including John Legend who played Jesus on the NBC-televised version on Easter in 2018 without the same level of vitriol. Other supporters say Erivo’s casting was the whole point; her casting aligns with the opera’s original intent to provoke and challenge norms. Fellow advocates for her casting– which they argue is a step forward to inclusivity and representation– say it’s not about identity at all, but her undeniable acting and singing ability made her a perfect choice for the role.
Erivo, 38, addressed the backlash in an interview. She told Billboard, “Why not? You can’t please everyone,” and reasoned her casting was for a “three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, ‘Oh, it’s a musical, the gayest place on Earth.’ ”
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