Glinda returns: Cynthia Erivo delivers a hilarious turn on SNL UK
SNL gave Wicked a Nigerian makeover — and a familiar face returned for another go.
Instead of the emerald-skin Elphaba she plays on the big screen, Cynthia Erivo shows up in SNL UK’s “Nigerian Wicked ” as a full-on Glinda switch: platinum-blonde wig, pink velour tracksuit, and the confidence of a queen bee. Opposite Ayoade Bamgboye’s deadpan Elphaba, the sketch leans into a gloriously DIY Nollywood vibe as the duo set off to meet the Wizard of LagOz.
- A deliberate, low-budget gloss straight out of Nollywood, with exaggerated sound cues and soap-opera zooms.
- A role flip for Erivo — the movie ’s Elphaba now playing Glinda for laughs.
- The classic Glinda–Elphaba feud skips the duet “What Is This Feeling?” and jumps straight to a slap.
- Ayoade Bamgboye steps in as Elphaba’s foil.
- A quick, winky surprise cameo tucked in for good measure.
Stars roasting themselves
The British edition keeps the spirit of Saturday Night Live intact — big names sending up their own myth-making. Think Ryan Gosling obsessing over the Avatar font or Kim Kardashian planting the flag with, “I’m a mother, millionaire, law student, and billionaire.” Erivo’s sketch fits snugly in that lane, and it isn’t the first time SNL has had fun with Wicked.
“When something is already perfect, there’s no reason to make a second one.”
That was Ariana Grande — Glinda in the films — during her SNL monologue, a cheeky nod at the two-part movie rollout that doubled as franchise self-parody.
The press-tour energy checks in
Erivo and Grande’s Wicked press run became appointment viewing in its own right. Tears popped up mid-conversation, no prompting required, and Erivo’s protective streak went viral when she stepped in fast during one awkward fan moment — then stayed close, holding Grande by the arm after the handshake moment had passed. It all made their promo trail feel less like a junket and more like a saga.
“Nigerian Wicked” captures that same playful looseness — only this time, instead of a soaring duet, the Glinda–Elphaba bickering ends with a single, emphatic smack.