British actress and Grammy Award-winning singer Cynthia Erivo. Picture: X/@Sachinettiyil
British actress and Grammy Award-winning singer Cynthia Erivo is at the centre of a heated controversy after being cast as Jesus Christ in an upcoming production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl.
While some have praised this as a progressive and historic move, others have condemned it as an outright mockery of Christianity.
Many see it as another example of Hollywood’s ongoing trend of taking creative liberties with Christian narratives while handling other religions with far greater sensitivity.
Erivo, who publicly came out as queer and bisexual in 2022, shared the news via Instagram, writing, “Just a little busy this summer, can’t wait.”
Having previously played Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the musical in 2020 and performed.
The outrage surrounding Erivo’s casting stems from several factors: her gender, her race, her sexuality, and broader frustrations with Hollywood’s treatment of Christianity.
One notable example is the 2018 Met Gala: The theme "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination" saw celebrities wearing outfits inspired by Catholic imagery, including Rihanna dressed as a bejewelled pope.
Many saw it as a celebration of Catholic art, while others accused it of trivialising sacred symbols.
The 2018 MET GALA will not be repeated. pic.twitter.com/PTXzmz0lcz
— Culture (@Culture__Stan) January 13, 2025
Now critics argue that recasting Jesus - a male religious figure central to Christian belief - as a woman, particularly one who is openly queer, is deliberately provocative and disrespectful.
Others question why such creative liberties are consistently taken with Christianity while other major religions are treated with more reverence in the entertainment industry.
One critic on X (formerly Twitter), @REVWUTRUTH, wrote: “With all due respect, and humbly submitted, Cynthia Erivo is too BALD, BROWN, and BI to play Jesus. Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions.”
With all due respect, and humbly submitted, Cynthia Erivo is too BALD, BROWN, and BI to play Jesus. Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions. pic.twitter.com/0PblC3zg5u
— John K. Amanchukwu Sr. (@REVWUTRUTH) February 19, 2025
Another user, @katseye_soul, commented: “Casting Cynthia Erivo (a woman) as Jesus is a blatant disrespect and mocks Christian beliefs and undermines sacred representation.
“Stop exploiting faith for WOKE agendas..we know who is behind this mockery #boycott.”
Casting Cynthia Erivo (a woman) as Jesus is a blatant disrespect and mocks Christian beliefs and undermines sacred representation. Stop exploiting faith for WOKE agendas..we know who is behind this mockery#boycott pic.twitter.com/hupJ8c4YKS
— Lara's Soul (@katseye_soul) February 19, 2025
However, not everyone shares these concerns.
Supporters of the decision argue that Jesus Christ Superstar is a rock opera, not a traditional Biblical retelling, and therefore allows for creative reimaginings.
User @willtalksmusic chimed in with a sarcastic take: “Guys, she's going to be PRETENDING to be Jesus Christ in a rock opera.
“They aren't recasting Cynthia Erivo as Jesus permanently, in real life. I hope this eases the concerns of you Christians. Also, btw, a play is where actors get on a stage and pretend to be people.”
Guys, she's going to be PRETENDING to be Jesus Christ in a rock opera. They aren't recasting Cynthia Erivo as Jesus permanently, in real life. I hope this eases the concerns of you christians. Also btw a play is where actors get on a stage and pretend to be people https://t.co/uHIgSpKztx
— mr. talks music (@willtalksmusic) February 19, 2025
The musical, which explores the final week of Jesus’ life through the lens of Judas Iscariot, has faced controversy since its Broadway premiere in 1971.
Some Christian groups have criticised its portrayal of Jesus as more human than divine, while others have objected to its sympathetic depiction of Judas.
The 1973 film adaptation, directed by Norman Jewison, and the 2018 “Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert”, starring John Legend, have also courted debate over casting choices and thematic interpretations.