Several clips of actress Cynthia Erivo performing as Jesus Christ in the stage production “Jesus Christ Superstar” have been circulating online, with many viewers taking a negative view of that particular casting decision.
The “Wicked” actress played the role in the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice 1971 rock opera — opposite “American Idol” contestant Adam Lambert, who played Judas Iscariot — for a three day showcase at the Hollywood Bowl.
Commenters also pointed out how once again Christianity was being openly mocked while other religions are almost never targeted in the same way.
“It’s no surprise she looks exactly like how demons have always been portrayed,” Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action, wrote in response to one of the clips on X.
Cynthia Erivo plays Jesus in the, Jesus Christ Superstar.
I want to know why does this feel evil? Why does her left hand feel as if it’s a demonic claw? pic.twitter.com/goNoGcnpu2
— Mary 🤦🏼♀️🇺🇸 (@Mary_McMuffin) August 3, 2025
“And let’s be real … if you dress like a demon, act like a demon, and mock God like a demon … don’t be shocked when people call it what it is,” she added. “This is intentional blasphemy from Hollywood.”
“Let’s do Muhammad Superstar next … Oh wait …,” another commenter replied.
“Far closer to Nosferatu’s shadow than the divine light of Christ,” another person replied. “God will not be mocked.”
“They mock faith for applause. Cynthia Erivo plays Jesus, wears the crown, gets praised like it’s ‘progress.’ Try pulling that with any other religion … they’d burn Hollywood to the ground overnight,” echoed another.
Lambert addressed the backlash to Erivo’s casting, telling Billboard that “Jesus Christ Superstar” is meant to “provoke and challenge.”
“I’m excited by the challenge of presenting the audience with a production led by a female, Black ‘Jesus’ and encourage the audience to expand their minds a bit,” Lambert told the outlet. “And shouldn’t the teachings of Jesus transcend gender?”
“You can’t please everyone,” Erivo told Billboard during a June interview. “It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, ‘Oh, it’s a musical, the gayest place on Earth.’”
“Jesus Christ Superstar” has been controversial since its Broadway debut more than 50 years ago, with many Christians denouncing it as blasphemous.