Secretary of State Marco Rubio had some strong words against Cynthia Erivo’s controversial portrayal of Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Rubio was appearing on “The World Over” when he was asked if the Kennedy Center, where Rubio is serving as a trustee, would consider hosting a performance of the show. “I don’t follow any of that stuff, but just how you’ve described it to me, no, I mean, obviously, look, that stuff’s done to be provocative and to insinuate, but I think for people of faith, none of this should be new,” he said.

“It’s been true from the beginning in Christianity, it’s been – Christianity has been mocked, Christianity has been attacked from its very inception. In fact, the Church has traditionally been at its strongest when it’s the persecuted church, it’s been at its weakest when it sort of gets consumed by the culture,” he added. Rubio described Christianity as “countercultural” and to expect persecution because of it. “But I think we should understand that, that Christ’s own command and Christ’s own words, he tells us they’re going to hate you because of me,” he said.

Erivo’s role as Jesus has certainly sparked online outrage. “LGBTQ+ Cynthia Erivo is playing Jesus in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’” wrote Students for Life President Kristan Hawkins along with a video of Erivo’s performance.  “It’s no surprise she looks exactly like how demons have always been portrayed. And let’s be real… if you dress like a demon, act like a demon, and mock God like a demon… don’t be shocked when people call it what it is. This is intentional blasphemy from Hollywood.” “This is Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar and Adam Lambert as Judas,” wrote another user. “They are both an abomination to God.” The production has faced multiple accusations of blasphemy, with many of its critics calling Erivo’s appearance in the production “demonic” or comparing her to Nosferatu.

Erivo’s role in the 3-day production which included Adam Lambert as Judas was announced early 2025. Erivo noted there would be controversy over a black queer woman playing Jesus, but she remained nonplussed. “Why not?” she told Billboard.  “You can’t please everyone. It is legitimately a three-day performance at the Hollywood Bowl where I get to sing my face off. So hopefully they will come and realize, ‘Oh, it’s a musical, the gayest place on Earth.’”