Green, Not Evil: Elphaba's Journey to Unleashing Power
Elphaba is Black girl coded, and we love to see it. 💚
I'm Milena "Millie" Toro, a creative director, strategist, and mindset coach. 🧠 "Thoughts of Millie" is a newsletter where I share my perspective & insights on marketing, creative wellness, and pop culture. Thanks for reading & subscribing!
When I first saw Wicked, the movie adaptation of the Broadway hit, I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did. It was glitter and magic, of course, but there was something deeper beneath the surface—a layer that I hadn’t quite expected from a fantasy musical.
I saw Elphaba’s struggle with being the “other” in a way I had never felt before, and knowing that Cynthia Erivo, a Black woman, took on the iconic role of Elphaba made everything hit that much harder.
This story isn’t just about a green-skinned witch defying gravity—it’s about the strength of being different in a world that demands conformity. It’s about how, sometimes, the fight to be true to yourself can be both the most challenging and the most empowering thing you’ll ever do.
Cynthia as Elphaba made it feel more real, more urgent. And I have to say, I love that she was cast to be a lead in this film. Wicked is magical, full of joy and spectacle, but it's also something far more profound when seen through the lens of racial and cultural representation.
When I was in college, I majored in television and film, and one of my favorite courses called for the analysis of Disney princesses. As you can imagine, it wasn’t just about shiny tiaras and fairy godmothers for me—it was about how these stories we grew up with might’ve reflected, influenced, and shaped my understanding of the world.
The first time I saw The Princess and the Frog, I couldn’t get over how powerful it was to see Tiana, a Black woman, as the princess—the one who worked hard, loved hard, and earned her happy ending.
Fast forward to Wicked. I’ll admit: I wasn’t prepared for how seeing Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba would leave me speechless of the film. Erivo isn’t just a talented actress—her casting was an inspired choice, one that makes the entire story feel alive with meaning.
When you hear her voice soar through songs like “Defying Gravity,” it’s not just the melody that stays with you—it’s the power behind the words, the depth that comes with her performance. Her Elphaba isn’t just fighting to be accepted; she’s fighting to exist in a world that constantly tells her she doesn’t belong.
Elphaba is an unsung hero. Her journey isn’t just about finding her place in the world; it’s about staying true to herself, her choices, and her morals, even when the world around her is telling her to change. She’s the hero who doesn’t seek validation or applause. She’s the hero who stands firm in her beliefs, even when it costs her everything.
When Glinda first meets Elphaba, she suggests, “I could help you with that (her skin tone),” implying Elphaba should change herself to fit in, to be accepted. Yeah, we peeped the macroaggression.
But instead of bending to Glinda’s suggestion—or society’s expectations—Elphaba embraces who she is, green skin and all. That, to me, is the real magic of the story. Watching Elphaba refuse to compromise her identity, her strength, and her decisions felt like watching a Black woman celebrate her place in the world—even if that place is outside the “accepted” norms. She doesn’t let anyone tell her who she should be. Not Glinda, not the Wizard, not Madame Morrible—no one.
In a world where we’re often told to soften ourselves to make others comfortable, Elphaba’s unwavering resolve is a breath of fresh air. Just like many of us—she’s complex, brave, and real. But in staying true to herself, she becomes something extraordinary. There’s nothing I love more than seeing a female character who’s unapologetically bold, who doesn’t have to cater to the whims of others, and who, in the end, doesn’t need anyone’s approval to know her worth.
The casting of Cynthia Erivo takes Wicked beyond just a tale of friendship between Elphaba and Glinda—it taps into something more universal (see what I did there?), something that resonates for anyone who has ever been made to feel “other” simply for being themselves. The story suddenly becomes not just about the green girl being an outcast; it becomes about the power in reclaiming what makes you you, even when the world wants you to be someone else.
The iconic “Defying Gravity,” which, in this context, isn’t just a song about flying—it’s a declaration of freedom. For Elphaba, flying isn’t just about escaping Oz; it’s about escaping the weight of societal expectations. It’s about finding the courage to live as her true self. In that moment, she’s not just defying gravity; she’s defying the norms that have been placed on her since birth. It’s a powerful metaphor for anyone who’s had to overcome adversity and carve out space for themselves when the world doesn’t seem to want them there, just as they are. With Cynthia in the role, this feeling is amplified—it’s not just a fantasy; it’s a truth.
Being different doesn’t make you wicked—it makes you extraordinary. Elphaba’s green skin isn’t a flaw; it’s her power, something she learns to embrace and be proud of. And in a world where the voices of women, especially Black women, are so often ignored, seeing Cynthia Erivo bring Elphaba to life was like watching the magic of representation unfold before my eyes. The story has never felt more personal, more powerful, and more real.
Wicked has always been about defying the odds. It makes you believe that no matter how many times you’re told you don’t fit the mold, you can—and will—soar anyway.
PS - I also have to say, Ariana Grande in this? Phenomenal. I’m blown away by her performance as well. Watching the two of them together on and off camera is simply *chefs kiss* and something that absolutely needs to be celebrated. 💖💚
