British actress and vocalist Cynthia Erivo, best known for her recent performance in the 2024 adaptation of Wicked, appeared in a limited run of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl, stirring up controversy for portraying Christ despite being a bisexual black woman, leading Christians on social media to blast the actress for “blasphemy.”
For background, on August 1-3, 2025, Cynthia Erivo appeared as the titular figure in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl, a casting choice that was previously praised by the likes of Stephen Colbert and other prominent figures on the left. However, when footage of Erivo on stage wearing a crown of thorns and carrying a crossbeam while performing alongside Adam Lambert as Judas Iscariot was shared online, Christians responded with outrage.
Notably, Christian actor Kevin Sorbo called Erivo’s portrayal of Christ “demonic” in an August 3, 2025, post on X, leading other Christians to respond in the comments with calls of “blasphemy.” One commenter added, “I can’t think of a single person who’d want to see this. An atheist or any other religious person wouldn’t want to watch anything about Jesus and a Christian most certainly would not want to watch this sh–.”
Moreover, Pastor John K. Amanchukwu, Sr., a prominent conservative Christian voice on social media, criticized Erivo’s casting in a post on X on August 5, 2025, saying, “With all due respect, and humbly submitted, Cynthia Erivo is too BALD, BROWN, and BI to play Jesus.” He added, “Casting a woman as Jesus Christ is an intentional form of blasphemy that Hollywood would be fuming over if done to certain other religions.”
Likewise, Erivo was called out by Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life America, who wrote on X, “It’s no surprise she looks exactly like how demons have always been portrayed. 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. This is intentional blasphemy from Hollywood.”
Prior to her debut in the role of Jesus, Erivo appeared on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” to discuss the show, and Colbert told the actress, “I’m so excited that in August, you’re going to be playing Jesus in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ at the Hollywood Bowl.” Colbert continued, “First woman to play Jesus in a major production. Long overdue. I’ve said for years I’d love to see a woman in that part.”
Responding to Colbert, Erivo said, “I think the idea that I can play this role, and I’ve been given the opportunity to play it in front of so many people at that place [at] this time of my life is a very special thing.” She added, “It’s the first time I’ve been on stage in that way for a long time, so to do it with this role is awesome.”
Watch a clip of Erivo’s performance:
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