Cynthia Erivo Pushes Back on Scrutiny of Grande Friendship
WHO:
Us Magazine - Erivo was 39 when she discussed the public conversation surrounding her friendship with Grande.
ComingSoon - Cynthia Erivo, an actress, and Ariana Grande, her *Wicked* co-star, are the people whose friendship was discussed.
Variety - Erivo is a theater star and singer; Grande is her co-star in *Wicked*.
Variety - Jon M. Chu directed the adaptation of *Wicked*, with Erivo playing Elphaba.
TMZ - Erivo and Grande are described as having a close off-screen bond.
WHAT:
Us Magazine - Erivo said, “It was interesting that there were many people who had become psychologists from their couches.”
ComingSoon - Erivo addressed online speculation about whether her friendship with Grande was genuine or part of promotion.
ComingSoon - Erivo questioned why the friendship became such a major talking point during the *Wicked* films’ promotional campaigns.
Variety - Erivo reflected on attention and public “annoyance” about her friendship with Grande during the press tour for the movie musical and its sequel.
Variety - Erivo described the public’s reaction with the questions: “Why are they showing emotion? How dare they cry!”
TMZ - Erivo called her close bond with Grande a “double-edged sword” while addressing negative gossip about their off-screen relationship.
ComingSoon - Erivo spoke with *The Guardian* about the film adaptation of *Prima Facie*.
WHERE:
Us Magazine - Erivo made the comment in an interview with *The Guardian*.
Variety - The attention arose during the *Wicked* movie press tour.
ComingSoon - Erivo discussed the subject in an interview with *The Guardian*.
WHY:
ComingSoon - Erivo questioned why her friendship with Grande drew substantial attention during the films’ promotional campaigns.
Variety - Erivo addressed public scrutiny and annoyance over the pair showing emotion and crying.
HOW:
ComingSoon - Erivo discussed the scrutiny in a *Guardian* interview about *Prima Facie*.
TMZ - Erivo characterized the experience of having the friendship scrutinized as a “double-edged sword.”
(UPDATED October 29, 2026 19:03 UTC)
Cynthia Erivo says public scrutiny of her close friendship with *Wicked* co-star Ariana Grande became a major talking point during the films’ promotional campaigns. In an interview with *The Guardian*, Erivo questioned why people speculated about whether their bond was genuine and reacted with annoyance to the pair showing emotion and crying. She called the attention a “double-edged sword” and said it was interesting how many people had “become psychologists from their couches.”
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(UPDATED October 29, 2026 16:05 UTC)
Cynthia Erivo says her close friendship with her *Wicked* co-star Ariana Grande became a major focus during the films’ press tour, prompting online speculation about whether their bond was genuine or promotional. Erivo questioned why people were so fixated on the pair’s emotions, asking, “Why are they showing emotion? How dare they cry!”