Hollywood star Cynthia Erivo has shared the powerful personal reason behind her dramatic decision to shave her head for the highly anticipated film Wicked: For Good.
The Practical Reason for the Transformation
Appearing on ITV's Lorraine on Friday, 21st November, the 38-year-old actress explained to host Ranvir Singh that the striking look was a necessary part of her transformation into Elphaba. Erivo revealed that her scalp needed to be painted green to match the character's iconic appearance.
"My scalp has to be green, and in order, because the wig has loads of partings, it's an open wig, and you can see it here," Erivo stated. "So I was like, well, I guess I'll shave my head so you can actually make my scalp green. So when the hair moves, you see the green scalp underneath."
A Journey of Self-Expression and Confidence
This bold move, which also included shaving her eyebrows, was undertaken when she landed the role alongside Ariana Grande's Glinda back in 2021. While her co-star dyed her signature brown hair blonde for the part, Erivo's commitment required a more extreme measure.
However, the actress has since embraced the look as a core part of her identity. In a previous interview with Harper's Bazaar, she expressed: "This is what I want to look like." She elaborated, "I love a heel, I love a nail, I love a jaw, I love a bald head, I love a good outfit. It is legitimately a way of just expressing parts of myself."
Overcoming Past Hesitations
The journey to this point of self-assurance wasn't immediate. Erivo previously told Self magazine in March 2023 that she had wanted to shave her head earlier in her career but was met with resistance. "I remember saying to myself, 'I'd like to walk into a room and have people just see my face'," she recalled.
Unfortunately, her hairdresser at the time "would only cut some of it," leaving Erivo with an unwanted haircut. She reflected on the experience, noting, "I allowed her fears or something she was projecting onto me to affect how I made my decision."
Now, her bald head is not only synonymous with her powerful portrayal of the Wicked Witch but also represents a years-long journey of self-love and definitive personal style.
Wicked: For Good is now showing in cinemas, continuing Elphaba's story as she leaves her old life behind. Lorraine airs weekdays on ITV1 at 9am.
