Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage

Cynthia Erivo

Karwai Tang/WireImage

Cynthia Erivois opening up about what filmingWickedmeans to her.

The actress, 36, who plays Elphaba in the film, shared a rare — and emotional — glimpse into her journey playing the popular role in alengthy note to fans shared on Instagramon Friday.

“I realize I’ve said very little about my experience onWickedand that’s mainly because I’ve been keeping my head down and mining this beautifully complex being that is Elphaba, and it’s really hard to put into words,” Erivo wrote in the Instagram caption.

Alongside the message, she posted a photo of her left hand — her nails painted a dark emerald color — laying on a script ofWicked: Part 2, the second of the two-part movie adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.

Erivo noted that one particular scene — which is featured in the first act of the show — inspired her to pen her feelings. “It is day 111 and yesterday we finished filming ‘I’m Not That Girl’ when we had come to the end of that moment, my heart broke open and tears fell. (Please know this happens OFTEN),” Erivo wrote.

“I thought of us, the ones who often feel like they’re on the outside,” she explained. “The ones who don’t know that their differences, oddities, quirks are what make them beautiful and special. The ones who, for some reason, believe they can’t be loved, and I felt proud to sing a song that might speak to those feelings.”

TheHarrietactress went on to express how much she appreciated both playing the part of Elphaba and the experience she shared with her co stars, includingAriana GrandeandJonathan Bailey, and director Jon M. Chu.

“I am endlessly grateful to play a role that turns the notion of what beauty is on its head,” she said. “I am endlessly grateful to be working with some of the most beautiful souls on the planet, and I’m already grieving for the day our little bubble must come to an end.”

She ended the note speaking directly to fans and revealed her hopes for what they might take away from the movie when it is released.

“I desperately hope that when you finally see this film, you’ll see you, you’ll see me, you’ll see Jon and Ari and our hearts laid bare, you’ll see pain and joy and maybe just maybe you’ll see a little spark of light that says, you are who you are for a reason and you are deserving of happiness and even though sometimes it might be hard to find, it is there for the taking,” the actress wrote.

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“I hope all the bumps and scrapes and scars that you’ve picked up along the way, get a little healing when you finally relax in a theater with a snack a drink and hopefully, friends you bring or friends you find when you’re there,” she added, concluding her post with “Love your Elphie Cynthia E.”

Jesse Grant/Getty

Cynthia Erivo attends Los Angeles Confidential Magazine’s celebration of the Oscars with Cynthia Erivo on February 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.

In November 2021, Erivo and Grande werecast as the leads. The cast also starsJeff Goldblumas the Wizard,Ethan Slater as Boq,Marissa Bodeas Nessarose,Bowen Yangas Pfannee,Bronwyn Jamesas ShenShen,Keala Settleas Miss Coddle, Aaron Teoh as Avaric and Colin Michael Carmichael as Professor Nikidi, per IMDb.

Wicked: Part OneandPart Twoare scheduled to hit theaters on Christmas Day in 2024 and 2025, respectively.

source: people.com