Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s friendship had become a major talking point during the press tours for the “Wicked” film franchise. However, Erivo has now criticised the unusual scrutiny surrounding her close bond with her co-star. In a recent interview, the Broadway star shared her views on how the internet dissected their actions throughout their press tours for the films.
Cynthia Erivo pushes back on people analyzing her offscreen friendship with Ariana Grande in new interview
Speaking to The Guardian, Erivo described online commentators as people who had “become psychologists from their couches”. She also called the reaction a “double-edged sword.” Erivo added that fans questioned everything from their hugs and tears to their laughter. “There was this weird sort of, what’s the word I’m looking for … annoyance … at the fact that two women could actually be friends,” Erivo said.
Erivo and Grande played Elphaba and Glinda respectively in the two-part musical adaptation. The films explored how an unlikely friendship changed both characters. Meanwhile, their emotional interactions during interviews quickly became internet talking points, as viewers speculated about the authenticity of their connection.
Erivo argued that the pair faced criticism regardless of how they behaved. “Because if we were dead behind the eyes and showing no emotion, there would have been something else to say about it,” she explained.
The actor also addressed the November 2025 incident. A man had rushed towards Grande at the Singapore premiere of “Wicked: For Good.” Erivo immediately intervened to shield her co-star, describing the frightening moment as “terrifying”.
“No one else was moving. We were on a carpet. We were exposed. My immediate response was: ‘Get this man away from us now,’” she recalled.
However, Erivo objected to being labelled Grande’s “bodyguard”. She said her reaction was simply a human response to someone threatening a friend, rather than a role defined by her appearance.
“I would have done for any friend, and hopefully a friend would have done for me,” she said.
Their friendship has also received support from ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu, who previously praised the bond that developed between the actresses. Additionally, Erivo and Grande celebrated their connection by getting matching “For Good” tattoos in November 2025.
