Backlash Over Cynthia Erivo’s portrayal of Jesus

Actress Cynthia Erivo, known for her bisexuality and her work in theater, has received criticism from some Christian circles after playing Jesus Christ in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl. Previously, Erivo had taken on the role of Mary Magdalene in an all-female version of the same musical and recently appeared in the film adaptation of “Wicked.” She starred alongside openly gay singer Adam Lambert in her recent performance.

In videos shared online, Erivo is seen carrying a cross-beam while wearing a thorn crown, leading actor Kevin Sorbo to describe her scene as reflective of “the devil.” He expressed his thoughts on social media, calling the portrayal a “demon.”

This is a demon.
– Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) August 3, 2025

David Harris, a host on “Pulse,” echoed similar sentiments on Newsmax, deeming it “1000% devil.” His comments were also shared on Twitter.

1000% Devil — David J Harris JR (@davidjharrisjr) August 4, 2025

Riley Gaines, a political activist and former swimmer, shared her heartbreak over the performance in a recent video.

My heart is broken — Riley Gaines (@riley_gaines_) August 4, 2025

Arch Kennedy, who comments on faith and culture, criticized Erivo’s role and suggested it undermines the sanctity of Scripture. He stated, “Cynthia Erivo playing Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl is not just theater. Christ is holy and not a stage prop.”

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl, is not just in theatres. That’s the ock of God’s Word. – Arch Kennedy (@archkennedy) August 5, 2025

In a 2024 interview, Erivo mentioned her Roman Catholic upbringing in London and emphasized the importance of broad-mindedness in faith interpretation.

Adam Lambert, in defense of Erivo’s casting, insisted that those opposing the production were overly narrow in their thinking. He expressed excitement about presenting a fresh, female-led take on the role of Jesus in a rock-based format.

“I’m excited by the challenge of presenting a female-led production to the audience, Black Jesus… That’s the key. And shouldn’t Jesus’ teaching transcend gender?”

The original musical debuted in 1971, and while it has garnered acclaim, it has also faced criticism for its portrayal of Judas as a sympathetic character and other controversial interpretations of Jesus. The project started as a concept album by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1970.

Related Articles: ‘Wicked’ Star Cynthia Erivo, Jesus Christ Superstar, cast as Jesus; Causing controversy