Wicked fans left ‘triggered’ after noticing key detail during the ‘Popular’ makeover of Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba

Wicked fans say they’ve been left ‘triggered’ after a scene from the film depicted Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba being made ‘popular’ by removing her glasses.

The film, which has been a box office phenomenon since reaching UK cinemas last month, follows Elphaba as she embarks upon a journey to become the Wicked Witch of the West.

In one scene, Elphaba undergoes a beauty transformation at the hands of Glinda, played by Ariana Grande, during the musical hit Popular.

But eagle-eyed fans noticed that the key to Elphaba’s ‘makeover’ was only ditching her glasses – which viewers condemned as promoting an unhealthy beauty standard.

In the song, Elphaba tries on several pairs of glasses before she removes them altogether.

While Wicked has impressed viewers and critics alike, some fans accused the film of perpetuating stereotypes by removing her glasses – in a phenomenon they dubbed ‘specsism’.

It’s a choice that’s rubbed some viewers up the wrong way, with one taking to X saying: ‘Once again disappointed to see that in order to be popular and deemed attractive Elphaba had to lose her glasses #Wicked.’

For Daniel Scott, celebrity eye wear stylist at TheEyewearStylist.co.uk, it made for a ‘triggering’ watch. He said: ‘The new Wicked movie was so triggering for me.

‘Why is it, still in this modern age, that Hollywood thinks it’s ok to constantly paint people with glasses as characters who are ”nerds” or ”unpopular” and picked on for it?

‘Only becoming ”popular” and the hero of the story once the glasses are removed. Constantly reinforcing this horribly outdated stereotype.

‘Yet again, the main character is bullied, yes because she’s green but ”let’s throw some glasses on her for good measure”, so that when she becomes the hero she’s no longer wearing glasses’.

Dan added: ‘The press are quick to talk about sexuality, inclusivity, body shape inclusivity, but where is glasses inclusivity? Where is the hero for glasses wearers?’

He added: ‘Specsism needs to stop. For our children’s sake, [this is] where so many self-esteem issues stem from.’

Elsewhere, others took to X to express similar thoughts. One said: ‘While I liked wicked, does anyone know why she took off her glasses randomly halfway through? It’s been bugging me, they looked amazing!

A second said: ‘My favourite part in #Wicked is when the pink one gives the green one a makeover and literally the *only* thing that changes about her appearance is that she takes off her glasses, which is specifically something the pink one said not to do.’

‘Once again disappointed to see that in order to be popular and deemed attractive Elphaba had to lose her glasses,’ a third added.

A fourth wrote: ‘Still cracking up at #Wicked trying so hard to tell us Elphaba was meant to be frumpy when she had the best wigs, the best clothes, cool glasses, even the ‘ugly hat’ scene doesn’t work because it’s a really cool witch’s hat. Worst attempt to ugly duckling a beautiful actress ever!’

It comes after Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz revealed that he has subtly hidden the beloved Wizard of Oz song, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, in the new film.

The lyricist, from New York, has worked on many films throughout the years, including Disney’s Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

He recently helped compose the music for Wicked Part One – and Part Two, which is expected to be released next year.

Stephen said he wanted to pay tribute to the original Wizard of Oz film inside Wicked, which is widely considered a prequel to the 1939 movie.

In the flick from 85 years ago, Dorothy – who was played by Judy Garland – sings the nostalgic song at the start of the film alongside her dog Toto, as a hint that she is longing to escape her life in Kanas.

In news that is sure to delight Wicked fans, the composer revealed that he cunningly used the delicate melody from the tune inside his Act I finale hit ‘Defying Gravity’, which is sung by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who play Glinda and Elphaba.

Towards the end of the track, Stephen told Classic FM that the first seven notes of the classic song appear when the pair are singing the word ‘unlimited’ towards the end of the track.

‘Over The Rainbow’ was seen as one of the most famous songs of its time and was composed by Harold Arlen and the lyrics were created by E Y Harburg.

He said: ‘The Arlen melody is completely different rhythmically and harmonically. Maybe even people who don’t know music that well still have the feeling of that because of course there is no more aspirational song than ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.’

The musician added that he wanted to hide conceal the ‘Easter egg’ inside Defying Gravity ‘for fun’.

The clip, which was posted on TikTok, racked up thousands of likes and views, with many Wicked fans commenting their thoughts.

One wrote: ‘I knew I heard Somewhere Over the Rainbow omg.’ Another penned: ‘I knew it! This just confirmed it I was soooo excited when I heard it and saw the rainbow on the screen!’

A third said: ‘He’s so passionate and I love watching it.’ A fourth commented: ‘I love this little thing so much and I love seeing others notice it.’