Cynthia Erivo Addresses Rumors She and Ariana Grande Were 'Lovers'

The 'Wicked' co-stars open up about their close friendship during the film's press tour.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Cynthia Erivo, 39, is reflecting on the fascination surrounding her close friendship with Ariana Grande, 32, during the press tour for their 2024 film 'Wicked'. Erivo says people struggled to understand how two women could be 'close' without being 'lovers', and the pair made a pact to support and protect each other throughout the high-profile project.

Why it matters

Erivo's comments highlight the lack of representation and understanding around platonic female friendships, especially in the public eye. Her and Grande's experience sheds light on the assumptions and discomfort some have around seeing women develop deep, non-romantic connections.

The details

Erivo and Grande played Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, in the 'Wicked' movie adaptation. Their chemistry and viral moments during the press tour, like Grande holding Erivo's finger, captivated fans but also sparked rumors they were romantically involved. Erivo says they made a 'pact' to support each other creatively and emotionally throughout the high-pressure project.

  • Erivo's comments were made in a February 10, 2026 cover story for the U.K. outlet The Stylist.
  • Erivo and Grande's 'Wicked' film was released in theaters in November 2024.

The players

Cynthia Erivo

A 39-year-old actress who played the role of Elphaba in the 2024 film adaptation of 'Wicked'.

Ariana Grande

A 32-year-old singer and actress who played the role of Glinda in the 2024 'Wicked' film.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I think people didn't understand how it was possible for two women to be friends – close – and not lovers. 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.”

— Cynthia Erivo (The Stylist)

“We hear often how female costars — or really, any costars — can sometimes let their egos get in the way until they battle each other, destroying the creative process for everyone involved. We were determined to do the opposite. To be the opposite. To build on each other's strengths, to encourage the other, to see if, like our voices, we could become more than the sum of our parts.”

— Cynthia Erivo (Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They're Too Much)

The takeaway

Erivo's comments highlight the lack of understanding around close, platonic female friendships, especially in the public eye. Her experience with Ariana Grande during the 'Wicked' press tour shows how assumptions and discomfort can arise when women develop deep non-romantic connections, underscoring the need for more representation and normalization of these types of relationships.