Cynthia asked the director, Jon M. Chu, if they could “reimagine” Elphaba’s traditionally long, wavy hair as micro braids in the movie.

The Harriet star is only the second Black woman to portray the Wicked Witch of the West from the Wizard of Oz universe, following Alexia Khadime who held the role in the West End production of Wicked from 2008-2010 and later in 2023.

How and why did the kind-hearted, smart and green Elphaba Thropp become such a nasty, powerful, dare we say wicked witch of the classic tale “The Wizard of Oz”? The big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked ” uses subtle nuances to hint at Elphaba’s growing powers, but also nod to Black women.