Kristin Chenoweth Says One Million Moms Spew Out Hate with 'Wicked' Boycott

The insanely misnamed One Million Moms are about the only ones in America (or the world, for that matter) offended by "Wicked." But they are a group that is at least consistent in their ridiculousness. Take, for instance, two current campaigns: One is against the holiday film "Dear Santa" (streaming on Paramount+) because it is Satanistic; and a second rails against Kelly Clarkson for saying "What the ... Fuuudddgggeee!" in a Wayfair ad. "Clarkson not only delivers the final word of this commercial with emphasis, but the word is slowly elongated, and the audio of her voice drops to an exaggerated bass sound," they write on their website.

The group, which really numbers close to 40,000 and is pretty much run by one person – conservative activist Monica Cole. "The right-wing group was created by the conservative American Family Association, which is classified as a known hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. One Million Moms protests against the presence of LGBTQ+ characters in children's stories and family content. One Million Moms calls it a fight 'against indecency in the media,' according to its website," writes Newsweek this week in reporting on their latest boycott against the film "Wicked." The reason, Newsweek reports, is that the film "not only [includes] witchcraft but also LGBTQ content."

"Alerting All Parents!" the blog post starts. "One Million Moms needs your help to make sure as many people as possible are aware of Universal Pictures pushing the LGBTQ agenda on families, particularly children, in the musical 'Wicked.' "

"Of course, the musical contains a tremendous amount of witchcraft and sorcery, and that content prompts most parents to avoid taking their children to see Wicked. But the film also shows not-so-discrete crossdressing and men crushing on men, which parents may not expect," the petition states.

"Instead of an uplifting Broadway musical about friendship and family, talents and resources were used to create a dark movie that also pushes wokeness."

One question: When did One Million Moms realize that "Wicked" is about witches and could be construed as an allegory about growing up gay? The stage musical has been around for 20 years, and the film has been in theaters, happily breaking box office records, since November 22.

Kristen Chenoweth, the musical's first Glinda, struck back at the group, reports The Independent. Responding to the petition, Chenoweth wrote a comment on Out Magazine's Instagram post: "Everyone knows the 'One Million Moms' are a mere few hundred. Maybe. It's called entertainment. Artistry. I am a Christian woman [who] originated the role of Glinda and all the silliness that these women spew [is] out of hate.

"No no no. I can't help it: I try to love em anyways. For they don't get it. For anyone who wants to see girl power, then go so WICKED. Onstage or in a movie theatre."

What is a bit, well, witchy is that as of this past Friday the 13th, the One Million Moms petition had gathered 13,009 signatures.

What likely ticked the group (or Monica) off is that the film stars Cynthia Erivo, the Tony-winning, Oscar nominated actress who identifies as queer and bisexual. In the film she plays Elphaba, the green-hued teenager with unbridled supernatural powers who is frenemies with Galinda (later Glinda), her roommate at university played by Ariana Grande.

"Last month, Grande and Erivo revealed they have a theory about the underlying themes of sexuality in Wicked – that Glinda the Good Witch "might be a little in the closet,' " writes The Independent.

Grande and Erivo discussed the inherent queerness of both "Wicked" and the world of Oz created by author L. Frank Baum in a video interview with Gay Times.

"Every day in the Emerald City is a Pride parade, right?" Grande said. "Even, like, the chickens. Those chickens are gay." She also claims that Dr. Dillamond, the goat professor at Shiz University played by Peter Dinklage, is a "gay icon".

And both think that those believing Galinda and Elphaba are in a romantic relationship aren't very far off. "I think Elfie, she goes wherever the wind goes. I think she loves Glinda, I think she loves love," Erivo said. "I don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have. They do have a real relationship, it is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond."

Grande explained that their characters provide "such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be."

"So, you know, whether it's romantic or platonic – Glinda might be a little in the closet – but if there were a time, you never know. Give it a little more time," she added.