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The UK media has come under scrutiny after fans noticed that Cynthia Erivo, who plays the lead role of Elphaba in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Wicked, was absent from prominent coverage of the film. Social media erupted when a newspaper cover featuring Wicked displayed only Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, despite the film centring on both characters. A tweet highlighting this omission expressed frustration, stating, “She literally plays the MAIN character Elphaba, and it’s so easy to find a picture of them both.” The post quickly went viral, with thousands of likes and retweets, sparking a wider conversation about representation in British media.

Critics argue that this is part of a pattern where Black talent is systematically overlooked or diminished in favour of their white counterparts. The worst part of it all is that Cynthia Erivo is a British actress, you'd think her own country would be excited to celebrate such an opportunity. One user pointed out, “White media in the UK repeatedly uses its resources to tone down Black excellence to amplify white talent. It’s not even subtle.”

This incident highlights deeper issues of racial bias within the entertainment and media industries. Fans and activists are now calling for accountability and urging media outlets to ensure fair and accurate representation of all talent, especially in projects celebrating diversity. As the controversy grows, many hope this serves as a wake-up call to address systemic biases and create space for equal recognition in media narratives. For now, the snubbing of Cynthia Erivo remains a stark reminder of the work still needed to achieve true inclusivity.