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 speaks out about her casting as Jesus in the Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar, responding to critics and reaffirming musical theater as a space for everyone. Performances run August 1–3.