Cynthia Erivo has shrugged off criticism after she was announced to be playing Jesus. The 38-year-old British actress and singer is best known for playing Harriet Taubman in the movie Harriet, Aretha Franklin in the series Genius: Aretha and Elphaba in Wicked.

Cynthia Erivo’s reaction to critics of her “Jesus Christ Superstar” casting is simply divine. Asked about the outcry over tapping a queer, Black woman to play the musical’s Messiah, she told Billboard,

Cynthia Erivo has responded to the backlash she received for her upcoming lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl.