Cynthia Erivo is getting candid in regards to the public’s perception of her relationship with Ariana Grande.
Erivo and Grande captured attention after starring as besties in “Wicked.” Beyond their on-screen chemistry, fans became fixated on how close the pair appeared during interviews, often leaning on one another and holding hands at press events.
Their interactions quickly fueled online speculation, and while Erivo has addressed the chatter before, she is now speaking more directly about how she was judged due to her appearance.
In a recent interview, Erivo opened up in regards to the scrutiny surrounding her close bond with Ariana Grande and the best way public perception has shaped commentary on her appearance.
Erivo recalled the response after she stepped in to guard Grande when a stranger tried to grab her throughout the Singapore premiere of “Wicked.”
Several memes and TikTok videos depicted her as Grande’s “bodyguard” following the incident. Speaking in regards to the situation, Erivo told Variety, “I feel that we haven’t really come to terms with the insidious nature of how we view Black women.”
She acknowledged that some people may disagree together with her perspective, but maintained that the criticism clearly centered on her looks as a lady of color.
“Because that’s what was being made fun of. It was my physique; it was my shape; it was the indisputable fact that I used to be bald; it was about what I looked like,” the London- born star explained.
In response to the “Harriet” star, many immediately painted her because the protective one due to those stereotypes. The “Widows” star also reflected on the assumptions people made about her friendship with Grande, calling out those that believed they may define the pair’s relationship from the surface.
The actress noted that many individuals seemed unwilling to just accept that their connection was real. “I feel that folks didn’t really imagine that we were actually friends,” Erivo shared, adding that the 2 still speak nearly every single day.
Cynthia Erivo Previously Denied Romance Rumors With Ariana Grande
This shouldn’t be the primary time Erivo has clarified the character of her reference to Grande. Earlier this 12 months, she shut down rumors suggesting their friendship was romantic.
As The Blast reported, Erivo explained that many individuals struggled to imagine two women may very well be very close without being romantically involved and that they were probably faking it.
Erivo identified that the confusion likely got here from how deep female friendships are rarely shown or discussed in public spaces. She noted that while such connections are common in real life, they don’t often get attention on screen or in mainstream conversations.
Because the actresses promoted the hit musical adaptation, their affectionate interactions became a significant talking point online. Some critics even speculated that their behavior could have hurt their Oscar probabilities, as neither got any nominations.
In response to The Blast, one anonymous Academy voter claimed that the final result wasn’t surprising. They explained that while the 2 actresses had strong chemistry, the film itself wasn’t impressive and kept them apart for many of the story. The voter added that what put him off more was their “promotional performances.”
“They creeped numerous people out, and of their rush to feel authentic, got here off as cosplaying,” the person shared.
Cynthia Erivo Confronted A Fan For Breaking A Theater Rule
Outside of the headlines surrounding Grande, Erivo recently drew attention after pausing her West End production of “Dracula” to confront an audience member who was allegedly filming the performance.
In response to The Blast, a TikTok user recounted that the 39-year-old stage star stopped the show for several minutes after spotting someone recording contained in the theater.
One other attendee confirmed that Erivo directly addressed the person from the stage before staff escorted them out for violating the no-filming policy.
Ariana Grande Has A Latest Album On The Way
While Erivo continues making headlines, Grande has also generated buzz after announcing a brand-new album.
As The Blast reported, the “Thank U, Next” singer recently unveiled the quilt art for her upcoming record on Instagram, showing herself smiling as loose brown hair framed her face.
Grande revealed the project, titled “Petal,” is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026. Alongside co-writing the project, she also served as executive producer, working with producer Ilya, known for collaborations with artists like Taylor Swift and Sam Smith.