Cynthia Erivo has addressed speculation regarding the nature of her relationship with Ariana Grande, responding to rumors that their close bond during the promotion of the upcoming Wicked films extended into a romantic connection. The discussion followed viral fan compilations of their interactions, dubbed “Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande core,” which highlighted moments of attentive care and physical closeness.
In a recent interview with The Stylist, published February 10, Erivo described the public’s fascination with her and Grande’s relationship as “a strange fascination.” She attributed the speculation to a societal discomfort with observing deep, platonic friendships between women. “People either thought we were putting it on for the cameras or that we were lovers,” Erivo stated. “We’re not used to seeing it on camera, in front of people. A relationship where people are connected sometimes just makes people uncomfortable; we aren’t taught that those relationships are good for us.”
The actresses’ close connection became a frequent topic of discussion throughout the Wicked and Wicked: For Good press tours, with numerous clips capturing their emotional rapport. Erivo previously demonstrated her protectiveness towards Grande during the film’s Singapore premiere when she intervened as a fan attempted to approach Grande, an incident Erivo later reflected on as one of many shared experiences.
Grande herself has spoken about the physical connection with Erivo, explaining her tendency to express support through touch. During an appearance on Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast, Grande said, “I do, I do. I channel a lot of energy through my hands. And so I’m always holding a hand…I’m always squeezing a something, as you’ve learned. I’m always reaching for something.” She added that this behavior was a way of channeling support and energy.
Ariana Grande is currently in a relationship with actor Ethan Slater. Erivo has been linked to actress Lena Waithe since 2022. In the Stylist interview, Erivo emphasized the importance of recognizing and valuing deep platonic connections, suggesting that societal norms often struggle to accommodate such relationships.