While actual critics are raving about Cynthia Erivos recent star turn in Jesus Christ Superstar the Los Angeles Times called her performance divine; Forbes said the production, co-starring Adam Lambert, needs to tour conservative blowhards and Christian social media influencers are just raving mad, describing the queer Grammy, Tony, and Emmy award winner as demonic.On Sunday, Erivo wrapped up a three-night stint playing the title role in a much-anticipated revival of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber rock opera at the Hollywood Bowl. The Wicked stars casting had been controversial since it was announced back in February, with social media trolls flooding the Los Angeles performance venues Instagram announcement with comments like Jesus was a man and This is not MY Christ. Others accused the production of disrespecting the Christian faith and even blasphemy for casting a Black queer woman as Jesus. Related Christian trolls are furious that Cynthia Erivo is playing Jesus The Wicked Oscar nominee has been cast in an upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar. Erivo laughed off the uproar in a recent interview with Billboard, telling the magazine, You cant please everyone.It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off, she said. So, hopefully [critics] will come and realize, Oh, its a musical, the gayest place on Earth. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Unfortunately, Erivo may have underestimated the Christian rights commitment to outrage.On Sunday, actor Kevin Sorbo posted a video clip from the show on X showing Erivo and Lambert. This is demonic, Sorbo wrote.Anti-trans activist Riley Gaines reposted Sorbos post, adding that My heart breaks. My heart breaks https://t.co/rA1rnuWUAl Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) August 4, 2025As The Christian Post noted, Sean Davis, CEO of right-wing media outlet The Federalist, went so far as to compare Erivos appearance to that of Max Schreck in 1922s Nosferatu.It looks like a Netflix remake of Nosferatu. https://t.co/ojxLbFtvik Sean Davis (@seanmdav) August 4, 2025 Its no surprise she looks exactly like how demons have always been portrayed, anti-choice activist Kristan Hawkins wrote of Erivo on X. And lets be real if you dress like a demon, act like a demon, and mock God like a demon dont be shocked when people call it what it is.This is intentional blasphemy from Hollywood, Hawkins added.LGBTQ+ Cynthia Erivo is playing Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar.Its no surprise she looks exactly like how demons have always been portrayed.And lets be real if you dress like a demon, act like a demon, and mock God like a demon dont be shocked when people call it pic.twitter.com/FKQLhtJdFz Kristan Hawkins (@KristanHawkins) August 4, 2025 Responding to photos of Erivo from the show, rightwing commentator and convicted felon Dinesh DSouza wrote that he would now like to see a white woman play Martin Luther King, Jr.In a long comment to DSouzas post, conservative radio host Christopher Calvin Reid described Erivo as a woke liberal actress and her casting as a vile assault on Christian doctrine.This isnt art; its evila blasphemous middle finger to God, cheered by Democrats whod rather bow to Hollywood than the Bible, Reids unhinged rant continued. Christians must reject this sacrilege, for it erodes the sacred, inviting divine judgment while the left cackles in their echo chambers. Why Casting Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar" Is a Blasphemous, Woke Abomination That Mocks Christs Divinity and Proves the Lefts Contempt for Biblical Truth. RETWEET The lefts deranged obsession with casting Cynthia Erivo, a woke liberal actress, as Jesus pic.twitter.com/6HyM2JBheI Christopher Calvin Reid (@ReidFirm) August 3, 2025As Lambert told Billboard last week, the point of Jesus Christ Superstar has always been to provoke and challenge. Loosely based on Christs final week before his crucifixion, the musical takes an irreverent approach to the Biblical story, infusing it with a late-60s countercultural sensibility that questions both Jesus celebrity and the wisdom of his biggest fans.Earlier this year, actor and singer Ted Neeley, who starred as Jesus in the 1973 film adaptation, likened the uproar around Erivos casting to the protests outside the original Broadway production in the early 70s.As for Erivo, she seems to be simply basking in the generally glowing reception to her performance. On Tuesday, the actress and singer reposted a clip from the show first posted by Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, and also posted a gif of herself with Superstar co-stars Lambert and Brian Justin Crum.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.