Cynthia Erivo Shares How Elphaba’s Iconic Cardigan in Wicked Represents Self-Worth and Love

Cynthia Erivo.
Credit:

Gareth Cattermole/Getty; Cynthia Erivo/Instagram

NEED TO KNOW

• Cynthia Erivo discussed the cardigan worn by her character, Elphaba, in a pivotal scene in Wicked: For Good.
• The cardigan has generated a polarized response from audiences, with some feeling it seems out of character.
• Costume designer Paul Tazewell mentioned to NPR that the cardigan was designed to be “protective.”

Cynthia Erivo recently shared her thoughts on Elphaba’s much-discussed “sex cardigan.”

At Elphaba’s Wicked Retreat Airbnb Originals Experience in Los Angeles on December 3, the star of Wicked: For Good reflected on the attention-grabbing clothing item.

The wool sweater, featured in the film’s sensual “As Long as You’re Mine” scene with Fiyero (played by Jonathan Bailey), has sparked varied reactions from fans.

During the Airbnb event, Erivo explained that Elphaba’s wardrobe serves to highlight her vulnerability.

“I just wanted to present an opportunity to see this character, who everybody at this point has seen as this strong fighting woman, as someone who could actually be on her own,” Erivo said. “I wanted something that removed the armor for a second and shows a more sensual, connected side of her.”

She emphasized that the aim was “not to turn her into a sexual object.” Instead, she wanted to portray Elphaba as a “soft human being worthy of being loved and having an intimate moment with someone. That’s beautiful.”

Cynthia Erivo on the set of ‘Wicked: For Good.’

Cynthia Erivo/Instagram

Wicked costume designer Paul Tazewell also commented on the cardigan during a recent interview with NPR.

“It came from a very organic decision about what Elphaba has access to,” Tazewell explained. “Living alone, what choice would she make when looking for a robe, something protective and warm?”

He added, “It’s operating as her robe for that moment. She’s got a loom in her treehouse, weaving her own clothing from the elements around her, and the sweater fits into that context.”

The Oscar-winning designer noted that a “black, slinky peignoir” would have been an unrealistic option for Elphaba. The cardigan, he argues, reflects “who a character is and what is important for them, where their priorities are.”

Cynthia Erivo at the ‘Wicked: For Good’ premiere in London.

Gareth Cattermole/Getty

“I see my work as a costume designer to be one of a storyteller, and I’m telling a silent story,” Tazewell added. “It reveals itself alongside the performances of the characters.”

Tazewell previously shared with PEOPLE that the costume team created over 1,000 costumes for the Wicked films—25 designs for Glinda and 24 for Elphaba, many of which had multiple variations.

Some costumes, like Glinda’s iconic bubble dress, required up to 137 pattern pieces and 225 hours for hand-beading a single bodice.

“When I think of the iconic Glinda, I picture Billie Burke in The Wizard of Oz wearing that pink dress and arriving in the bubble,” Tazewell noted. “I aimed to recreate a similar silhouette. There’s a fairy princess quality to Ariana as Glinda in that dress—sparkly and covered with bubble imagery, evoking the Good Witch of the North in a powerful and reimagined way.”