Cynthia Erivo has criticised the public reaction to an incident where she protected Ariana Grande from a fan, saying it reflects "the insidious nature of how we view Black women". The incident occurred at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore, when a TikTok prankster jumped a barricade and grabbed Grande. Erivo pushed the man away before security intervened, with fans initially praising her and joking she acted as Grande's "bodyguard".
Erivo speaks out
Erivo told Variety she took issue with being painted as Grande's "protector", adding: "There was this assumption that I was bigger than my co-star and so I had to be controlling or protecting, and that was my role." She highlighted the racial undertones of the narrative, noting that such characterisations are often applied to Black women in public spaces.
Incident details
The attacker, identified as Australian Johnson Wen, was arrested at the scene. He was later charged with public nuisance and sentenced to nine days in prison. The incident has sparked broader discussions about fan behaviour and security at high-profile events.
Erivo's comments have drawn support from fans and fellow celebrities, who agree that the framing of her actions perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The Wicked: For Good premiere continues to make headlines, but Erivo hopes the conversation shifts towards respect and equality.
