Cynthia Erivo on Ariana Grande Romance Rumours: 'There Was This Strange Fascination With the Two of Us'

Cynthia Erivo has spoken out about the persistent rumors suggesting a romantic relationship with her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, attributing the speculation to a societal misunderstanding of deep platonic female friendships. In a recent interview with Stylist, the actress described a "strange fascination" with the pair that led many to assume their close bond was something more than friendship.

Erivo explained that the gossip initially stemmed from people's difficulty grasping how two women could share such intimacy without it being romantic. "At first, I think people didn't understand how it was possible for two women to be friends – close – and not lovers," she said. She added, "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."

The actress delved deeper into the cultural reasons behind the rumors, pointing to a lack of open discussion about genuine female friendships. "I think it's because there's such little conversation around platonic female friendship that is deep and real, even though it exists everywhere," Erivo noted. She continued, "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 speculation arose during press tours for both Wicked and its upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good, where Erivo and Grande were frequently spotted side-by-side. Their on-screen chemistry as Elphaba and Glinda, combined with affectionate off-screen interactions, captured widespread attention and fueled online chatter both online and offline.

Certain moments between the co-stars have gone viral, amplifying the rumors and turning their friendship into a hot topic of discussion. Despite the buzz, Erivo is in a relationship with Lena Waithe, while Grande is dating Ethan Slater, her co-star from the Wicked films.

Erivo's candid remarks highlight a broader conversation about how female friendships are often perceived from the outside, challenging assumptions and advocating for greater acceptance of non-romantic bonds between women.