Film ‘Wicked’ is removed from cinemas in Kuwait, sparking speculation about censorship linked to LGBTQ+ cast
The musical Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivowas withdrawn from screenings in Kuwaiti cinemas, sparking speculation that the film could face a possible outright ban in the country. The situation was revealed by Variety, which points out that the decision is still in progress.
Kuwait, known for adopting strict censorship measures, had already banned the film Barbie in 2023 under the justification of protecting “public ethics”. Local sources suggest that Wicked’s exclusion may be linked to the presence of a cast with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Cynthia Erivoopenly bisexual, and Jonathan Baileyopenly gay, are examples cited. Other names like Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James also identify as queer.
The country has stood out as the strictest in film censorship among the Gulf nations, surpassing even Saudi Arabia, which also maintains conservative rules.
The measure reignites the debate about artistic freedom and representation, especially in markets with conservative cultural policies.
Source: Maxima
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