Cynthia Erivo Breaks Silence on Intense Friendship with Ariana Grande
Cynthia Erivo has directly addressed the widespread speculation surrounding her remarkably close friendship with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande. The two actresses, who portrayed Elphaba and Glinda respectively in both Wicked and its sequel Wicked: For Good, became inseparable during press tours, frequently seen holding hands and posing cheek-to-cheek, which led many observers to question the nature of their relationship.
'A Strange Fascination' with Female Friendship
In a revealing new interview with Stylist magazine, the London-born star described the public reaction as a 'strange fascination'. Erivo explained that initially, people struggled to comprehend how two women could be deeply close without being romantic partners. 'I've never really spoken about this, but there was this strange fascination with the two of us, where people either thought we were putting it on for the cameras or that we were lovers,' she stated candidly.
Erivo, who recently faced criticism for allegedly using teleprompters during her West End performance in Dracula, suggested that the confusion stems from a broader societal issue. She pointed out that profound emotional attachment between women is rarely discussed or portrayed in media, making their visible bond appear unusual to the public. 'I think it's because there's such little conversation around platonic female friendship that is deep and real, even though it exists everywhere. We're not used to seeing it on camera, in front of people,' Erivo elaborated.
Grande's Need for Physical Support
Ariana Grande, aged 32, has openly admitted her tendency to hold Erivo's hand during public events, a habit that became particularly noticeable during the Wicked press tour in late 2024. In an appearance on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler, Grande explained, 'I do, I do. I channel a lot of energy through my hands. And so I'm always holding a hand. I'm always, like, squeezing a something, as you've learned. I'm always reaching for something sometimes.'
She added that she often clutches 'who I'm with. Yeah, I like to channel support and energy... I didn't even notice that it was a thing about me until that thing happened.' The 'thing' she referred to was a viral moment when Grande was photographed holding onto Erivo's finger, a gesture that sparked intense online discussion. 'Yeah, because I didn't know what the f*** was going on,' Grande admitted. 'I just wanted to be supportive. I was like, oh my God. And it felt sweet. It felt beautiful. And it was beautiful.'
A Bond Cemented Through Adversity
The strength of their friendship was further demonstrated during a frightening incident at the Wicked: For Good Asia-Pacific premiere in Singapore last November. When a crazed fan lunged at Grande, Erivo immediately rushed to her defense, shielding the younger star from harm. Grande appeared visibly shaken by the event, which underscored their mutual support and deep connection.
The fan, identified as 26-year-old Australian Johnson Wen, known online as Pyjama Man, was quickly apprehended by security. Wen faced legal consequences, being arrested and charged with public nuisance. He received a nine-day jail sentence and was subsequently barred from re-entering Singapore, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
Redefining Platonic Relationships in the Public Eye
Erivo emphasized that their relationship challenges conventional perceptions, stating, 'A relationship where people are connected sometimes just makes people uncomfortable; we aren't taught that those relationships are good for us.' This sentiment reflects a broader commentary on how society often misinterprets or overlooks the value of intense, non-romantic bonds between women.
Throughout the filming of both Wicked movies, directed by Jon M. Chu, Erivo and Grande relied on each other for emotional and professional support. Their public displays of affection, from hand-holding to protective gestures, were not acts for the cameras but genuine expressions of a friendship that has flourished both on and off set. As Erivo concludes, their story serves as a reminder that deep female friendships deserve recognition and understanding, free from unnecessary speculation.
