Cynthia asked the director, Jon M. Chu, if they could “reimagine” Elphaba’s traditionally long, wavy hair as micro braids in the movie.

When Wicked star Cynthia Erivo set about bringing the stage character of Elphaba Thropp, a.k.a. the future Wicked Witch of the West, to life for the film, she had a few ideas for her character — including a few very important beauty details.

Cynthia Erivo finishes the first instalment of the two-part musical adaptation with a rendition of the popular number in her role as Elphaba

The Black actor is defending herself after hearing of "conversations" about her "getting this role as a 'woke hire.'"

On Friday night, the actor made an appearance at the Crosby Hotel in New York City, where she joined Jessica Chastain for a Q&A about "Wicked."