Cynthia Erivo Stars in 'Nigerian Wicked' SNL UK Parody — SkimNews
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- Cynthia Erivo played Glinda in a 'SNL U.K.' sketch titled 'Nigerian Wicked,' wearing a blonde wig and pink velour tracksuit while parodying the musical’s iconic dynamics
- Ayoade Bamgboye portrayed Elphaba opposite Erivo, engaging in a slap-fueled rivalry and a near-kiss that winks at fan shippers of the characters
- The 'Nigerian Wicked' sketch reimagined key scenes from 'Wicked,' including a makeover sequence where Elphaba protests she can’t afford it and Glinda promises the Wizard will make it worth it
- Glinda and Elphaba each made material requests of the Wizard — a Birkin bag and a 'skinny BBL' — prompting the Wizard’s voiceover to declare, 'She wants a BBL that defies gravity!'
- Hammed Animashaun voiced the Wizard of LagOz, revealing he is broke and wearing a fake watch, which Erivo’s Glinda dismisses as a 'nolex'
- The sketch ended with Glinda and Elphaba dramatically leaning in for a kiss before an explosion cuts to black, followed by a voiceover declaring 'Nigerian Wicked: LGBTQ!'
Why it matters: The parody shifts focus from the original musical’s politics to satire of class, beauty culture, and queer subtext, using Nollywood tropes to reframe a global franchise through a Nigerian lens — resonating with audiences seeking representation and humor that challenges Western norms.
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