Cynthia Erivo talks ‘Wicked’ and bullying at Red Sea Film Festival

 Cynthia Erivo opens up at Red Sea Film Festival.

Cynthia Erivo received a warm welcome at her special seminar today during the fourth Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah.

Cynthia discussed a range of topics in an interview with Raya Abirached today, Friday, December 6, 2024, including her friendship with Ariana Grande from the movie “Wicked.”

During the lecture, Erivo shared her thoughts on the cast of the film “Wicked” and her role as the unique character, “Elphaba,” both in terms of form and content.

She also discussed the distinctions between her work in theater and film, as well as the experience gaps between theater and film directors.

“I think bullying is very dangerous, because it’s easy to sit behind a computer and write about someone you don’t know, and I think the more we can protect ourselves from that, the better,” Cynthia said in reference to the bullying that her friend Ariana Grande has recently experienced after she was the target of a campaign of criticism from social media fans for being too thin.

The Red Sea International Film Festival’s fourth edition has revealed the identities of the other speakers who will participate in the debate sessions.

The dialogues and “market talents” programs will cover all of these topics, and the festival will welcome eminent visitors from around the world to share their experiences and engage in fruitful discussions about their artistic creations, passions, and narratives with fans, moviegoers, and those in charge of the film industry.

Award-winning Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker), Indian star Shraddha Kapoor (Stree 2), award-winning Sarah Jessica Parker (The Family Stone), Oscar-winning Brendan Fraser (The Whale), and Cynthia Erivo (Wicked) are among the new panelists. Oscar winner Marisa Tomei (Spider-Man: No Way Home) and Dev Patel (Monkey Man) are also part of the Marketplace Talents initiative, which helps up-and-coming artists in the field.