Throughout Hollywood’s history, worry about what happens to actors behind the camera has become a popular topic among viewers. From drastic changes in appearance and personality after filming, compared to before, people have begun to question what is actually happening during the filming process of movies. Recently, after the release of “Wicked: For Good,” fans have started to see these drastic changes in the leading actresses, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. After seeing the press photos, people have begun to ask themselves what happened to them on set and why they seem to have become two completely different people from when the film first began.
The multiple rumors that form around the extreme health changes to Grande and Erivo, mentally and physically, have created a vile image for the production for the fans. As Grande and Erivo continue to make a show in public, fans release to the internet their skepticism of the abnormality of their actions. After the first movie was released, fans began to notice differences in the actresses physical appearances, leading them to believe something bad was happening behind the scenes. Drama teacher Dan DeMarco has noticed these changes and hears about them daily from students.
“I noticed it [Grande and Erivo’s appearances] when I started hearing people talk about it. After listening to commentary and reading articles, I see it,” DeMarco said. “It really illuminated something for me. Even when I worked in theater and onscreen, I never had a project that was so lengthy and arduous that it had that effect on me.”
Although teachers such as DeMarco have acknowledged these changes, students, who are more active on social media, have begun to feel worried for the actors due to their extreme physical changes. Maddie Roberts ’27 has seen all of the press photos and understands why fans are upset and searching for answers.
“A bad reputation is being created for the movie, and I think that it will affect future casting if the movies are continued,” Roberts said.
In recent interviews and photos, fans have not only begun criticizing Grande and Erivo for their drastic health changes, but also their personality differences. A viral rumor about the wicked cast being monitored on the food they consumed each day. Fans were convinced on another level that the rumors were true. The odd behavior and noticeable change make it easy for the producers to be accused. Ava Lawler ’28, a fan of the franchise, has become equally worried for the actors after the possibility of the rumors being true.
“The three eggs a day rumor, going around on social media, suggested the producers controlled their eating habits, which has made everyone concerned about Ariana and Cynthia, even myself,” Lawler said.
As Erivo and Grande’s situation becomes more public, fans start to point fingers at the people working behind the camera, accusing them of restricting their diets and traumatizing them. Although the real reason behind the star’s health changes is personal to them and may never be revealed, fans continue to search for answers, disturbed by the beauty standards they subconsciously set for those watching “Wicked.”
“If you are working in a certain environment doing certain tasks and being expected to accomplish them every day, then yeah, there will be changes,” DeMarco said. “But, there is so much that is unrealistic about it.”
