First Generation Programming Services

Last week, I finally had the opportunity to watch Wicked. Yes, I know. I am late to the party! Truth is… I have always been a fan of Wicked. I watched the musical on Broadway many years ago and still consider it to be the best Broadway show I have ever seen. Unfortunately, as the years went on, I hadn’t really paid much attention to it again. But something changed within me (IYKYK) while I watched the latest movie. Something that I realized I was defying for a long time. Here is what happened…

Part 1 of Wicked, the latest movie, is out. Last week, I finally sat down on my couch with my cafecito in hand to watch it from home. The music is what I remembered it to be, the cinematography was beautiful, and the casting was great (in my opinion). However, the end of the movie was a game changer for me. I found myself bawling while listening to Elphaba sing Defying Gravity, and I could not figure out why. Let me take you on a journey as I figured it out. First, let’s go back a few years…

Glinda The Good

When I originally saw the musical on Broadway, I was hooked on the character of Glinda. She was pretty, Popular (lar), and funny. I wanted to be Glinda so badly and quickly went down the rabbit hole of watching YouTube videos of all the actors that have played Glinda in the past (Kristin Chenoweth will always be the OG). Through the years, I kept the idea of being like Glinda with me. I changed my appearance to make myself look “prettier”. I have dyed my hair, lost weight, and tried to fit in with the popular crowd. Although I kept Glinda in the back of my mind, I never could fully make the connection. As the years past, I subconsciously (and consciously) dropped the act and tried to be more like myself. But who was that? Spoiler alert: I am still trying to figure it out!

Okay, so now I am bringing you back to 30-year-old Sara sitting on the couch bawling her eyes out after watching Defying Gravity. Once I finally stopped crying, I paused to reflect on why I reacted this way. Of course, the song is amazing, and Cynthia Erivo did a phenomenal job portraying Elphaba, but that was not it. As I began to dig deep within, I realized what it was. For so many years I tried to be Glinda. Someone who I never was but thought I should be in order to be happy.

Defying The Odds

I realized that I had missed out on aligning with who I truly was all my life. I was and will always be Elphaba. I am a trailblazer, I am an advocate, and I am a cycle breaker. I always felt like the black sheep in my family; never fully realizing that it was my superpower. I stripped myself from my Latina identity because I was often bullied for it and was made to think that it was less than. I chose a career that was highly stigmatized because I wanted to help others. Was that really like Glinda or am I Elphaba?

Now, I have reclaimed that identity and all of its entirety because I am tired of being ashamed for who I am. Elphaba is a symbol of hope for us as she reminds us that we do not have to conform to societal standards and expectations. I started to realize that I wasn’t met to fit the mold, I was meant to break it. And so can you! The best part of all of this is that now I get to support other Elphabas! We are a voice for the voiceless, we are advocates for change, and we are stronger together. I hope my reflections help you realize that there is nothing wrong with being your true authentic self.

I am ready now to be your support. Just you and I, defying gravity.

In solidarity with my fellow Elphabas,

Sara