British actress Cynthia Erivo has stirred heated reactions online after stepping into the role of Jesus Christ in a recent production of the iconic rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.
While some hailed her performance as powerful and artistic, others slammed the casting as blasphemous and disrespectful to the Christian faith.
Erivo, known for her award-winning roles in Harriet and the upcoming Wicked, took centre stage dressed in a white blouse and a short skirt.
In the play’s final scene, she was dramatically “crucified,” wearing a crown of thorn-like props, which intensified the online backlash.
A section of outraged Christians took to social media, accusing the production of mocking their faith.
On Instagram, a user, Synthia, wrote, “This is madness…. I rebuke all mockery of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who came down from his throne in heaven to pay the ultimate sacrifice for us, to prove his love in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!”
Another user echoed the sentiment, posting, “Mocking the Savior of the world? Calling it ‘art’? NO. He gave His life for us on a cross, and we pay back like this? We don’t deserve it.”
The play, however, wasn’t without its defenders. Some fans quickly jumped to Erivo’s defence, insisting that critics were missing the point.
“Hey, so this is actually a musical that has been going on for years now, called JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and you now have a problem with it. Why? Because Cynthia is the one acting? Cool,” commented Ashley on Instagram.
Jesus Christ Superstar is not new to controversy. Written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, the musical debuted in 1971 and has been performed globally for over five decades.
It has drawn long criticism from religious groups for portraying Jesus as a deeply human, sometimes conflicted figure, and Judas Iscariot as more sympathetic than traditionally depicted.
Cynthia Erivo is not the first woman to take on the role of Jesus. The casting of women and people of colour in traditionally male or white roles is becoming increasingly common in modern theatre, aiming to challenge outdated portrayals and expand representation on stage.
Historically, Jesus has often been shown as a white man in Western art and media, but scholars widely agree that he was Middle Eastern, born in Bethlehem.
Over time, Jesus’s image has been reinterpreted across different cultures, sparking debates over accuracy and symbolism. For many, the message behind the figure of Jesus is more significant than the physical portrayal.
Cynthia Erivo, who previously sang the role of Mary Magdalene in past renditions of the same musical, has not directly responded to the backlash, but the firestorm continues to rage across social media platforms.