Fans are loving Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as "soulmate" besties after Erivo brushes off romance rumors
The award-winning actress recently set the record straight about her relationship with the hitmaker during an interview with
The Stylist. She explained that audiences often struggle to recognize deep platonic bonds between women.
“At first, I think people didn’t understand how it was possible for two women to be friends – close – and not lovers,” Erivo said in the Feb. 10 interview. “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,” she added.
Erivo, who co-stars with Grande in
Jon M. Chu’s Wicked films, reflected on the pair’s intense public attention and the pressures that accompanied their promotional tours.
“And I think it’s because there’s such little conversation around platonic female friendship that is deep and real, even though it exists everywhere,” explained Cynthia. “We’re not used to seeing it on camera, in front of people. A relationship where people are connected sometimes makes people uncomfortable; we aren’t taught that those relationships are good for us.”
The two played Glinda and Elphaba, the main characters in Wicked. In the fan-favorite film, the two explore a complex, transformative friendship. It first begins as a rivalry at Shiz University, but they soon become best friends. This heartwarming relationship was evident on screen and off. In fact, the two always had each other's backs.
During an appearance at the Screen Actors Guild NomCom (Nov. 15), Cynthia recalled the frightening fan encounter at the Singapore premiere and the emotional path they’ve shared. When they were promoting
Wicked: For Good, a fan jumped over a barricade and stormed Ariana, 32. Thankfully, Cynthia was there to block the fan from doing anything dangerous.
"We have come through some s—t," she said. “We have come through some stuff in our lives, in our daily workings. I mean, f—k, even this last week. Let’s be honest, for f–k’s sakes. We’ve had to really deal with some stuff, and this movie has allowed us to really grow as people, as friends, as sisters, as artists, as actresses.”
Fans’ reactions have been mixed but largely supportive. While skeptics point out there is no concrete evidence beyond warm on-camera moments and public displays of affection, many fans on social media celebrate the duo as “soul mate” friends who found one another later in life, praising their chemistry, mutual protection, and coordinated fashion moments.
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