Cynthia Erivo shared insights into the physically demanding experience of filming Wicked during a Q&A with Kristen Bell at the Academy Museum’s Ted Mann Theatre on December 12, 2024. The actress, who plays Elphaba, revealed that the role came with a significant toll on her sleep. She admitted to sleeping for less than three hours a night while filming, highlighting the intense nature of her daily routine.
Erivo explained that she enjoys roles that challenge her both physically and mentally, noting that the body and mind are deeply connected. Her commitment to this role meant waking up early for a two-hour workout, followed by up to two hours in the makeup chair to prepare for a 5 a.m. call time. The physically demanding scenes, including flying on wires, required extreme core strength and coordination, which she meticulously trained for under the guidance of her stunt coordinator.
To manage the physical toll, Erivo adopted a disciplined lifestyle. She avoided alcohol, smoking, and meat, and focused on rest and recovery, including using an infrared sauna blanket to help with bruising. Despite the exhaustion, she made the most of the limited sleep she did get, aiming for quality over quantity.
Erivo described her approach as “self-inflicted” but necessary to maintain her routine, and while she often stayed indoors to rest, she acknowledged that the grueling nature of filming meant “no days were small.” Wicked: Part Two is set for release on November 26, 2025.
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