Cynthia Erivo Addresses Rumor That She and Ariana Grande Were “Lovers”

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I’ve noticed a real shift in Cynthia Erivo lately, and it seems she’s finally going to talk about those rumors linking her to Ariana Grande. I’m so curious to hear what she has to say!

The actress, who appears with Ariana Grande in the upcoming Wicked films as Elphaba, recently responded to rumors that her and Grande’s close friendship had become a romantic relationship.

Cynthia, 39, recently shared with The Stylist that she noticed people initially struggled to believe she and another woman could have a genuinely close friendship without any romantic involvement. She explained that she hadn’t discussed this before, but there was a lot of curiosity about their relationship, with some assuming they were either faking their closeness for publicity or were secretly a couple.

Cynthia, who has been dating Lena Waithe since 2022, believes we don’t often see genuine, deep friendships between women portrayed, even though they’re common. She explained that because these kinds of relationships aren’t frequently shown or discussed, they can make people uneasy, and we’re not taught to value them.

Cynthia and Ariana—known for playing Glinda in the Wicked movies—received a lot of attention during the Wicked and Wicked: For Good publicity events because of videos showing their close connection. Shortly after a video surfaced of Cynthia protecting Ariana, 32, from a fan who ran onto the stage at the Singapore premiere, the Harriet actress spoke about the frightening experience.

She acknowledged a difficult period, stating, “We’ve all been through a lot, both in our personal lives and in our work, even just this past week.” She made these remarks at a special Screen Actors Guild event in Los Angeles on November 15th.

Honestly, we’ve all been through a lot, and making this movie has helped us grow, both personally and professionally. It’s brought us closer as friends, sisters, and artists, and it’s allowed us to develop as actresses.

Through all the challenges and good times they’ve shared, Cynthia is incredibly thankful to have gone through life’s journey with the Grammy-winning artist.

Cynthia shared that many viewers have connected with the movie and its characters, finding a sense of comfort and validation in seeing themselves represented on screen. She said this connection is the most rewarding outcome she could hope for from any of her work. She also expressed gratitude for the collaborative relationship that allowed her to achieve this, specifically acknowledging the person she worked with.

Ariana and Cynthia are famous for both their close friendship and their matching outfits. Keep reading to see their most stylish looks inspired by the world of Oz…

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who presented together at the 2024 Oscars in March, gave fans a sneak peek of what to expect from the first Wicked movie, set to release in theaters on November 22nd.

Cynthia Erivo, playing the green-skinned Elphaba, wore a leather Louis Vuitton outfit with striking, scale-like details, perfect for both a premiere and a fight. Ariana Grande, as the ‘good’ witch Glinda, evoked classic Hollywood glamour in a pale pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown. The dress featured layers of fabric creating a dramatic peplum, stole, bustle, and train all in one.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo arrived at CinemaCon in April with striking fashion choices. Grande wore a short, floral-inspired white and pink Oscar de la Renta dress, and Erivo showcased a green and silver Versace outfit complete with bold, satin thigh-high boots.

Not the colors of dear old Shiz, but she has an open invitation to play Quidditch for Slytherin.

The cast of Wicked won the award for best dressed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and were seen attending several events together.

The Games officially began with the Opening Ceremony on July 26th, where Cynthia Erivo wore a striking, sculptural green gown by Louis Vuitton, and Ariana Grande chose a delicate, vintage-inspired powder-pink dress by Thom Browne – a look reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn’s classic style.

Cynthia Erivo stunned in a sparkling green gown by Naeem Khan at the 2024 Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala on October 19th. She also performed a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” during the event.

Another popular choice: Grande’s leather-trimmed polka dot ball gown courtesy of Balmain.

In October 2024, Cynthia Erivo paired a T-shirt and cropped jeans with eye-catching bright-green heels and a patterned Louis Vuitton coat for a screening of Wicked at the DGA Theater in New York City.

Ariana Grande appeared prepared for her first day at witching school, wearing a cream-colored vest and skirt designed by Atelier Versace.

Whether Ariana Grande arrived at the 2024 WSJ. Magazine Innovator Awards in a bubble remains a mystery, but her stunning white Vivienne Westwood gown, covered in delicate embroidery, certainly looked like something from a fairytale.

Cynthia Erivo’s dress was a striking combination of styles: a pinstriped gray base layered with beautifully decorated green silk, evoking a playful mix of the magical Land of Oz and the world of high finance.

Oh my gosh, you guys, Ariana Grande completely transformed into Glinda at the Australian premiere of Wicked last November! She wore this incredible, dreamy pink ball gown by Vivienne Westwood – it was like she was Glinda, seriously! I’ve been following her since Victorious and this was just… everything. It was the perfect look!

At the premiere, Cynthia Erivo embraced the dark side of her character, Elphaba, with her fashion choices. She wore a black, strapless Louis Vuitton gown and striking accessories, including a large lion-head necklace and a sparkly green manicure.

The British actress told Vogue Australia she adored the outfit, explaining it felt like a reflection of who she is. She added that it made her think of wings and the feeling of overcoming limitations, just before walking the red carpet – or, as she playfully put it, the ‘yellow brick road’.

Cynthia Erivo captivated everyone again at the November 2024 Wicked photoshoot in Australia. She wore a stunning emerald and black Marc Jacobs blouse with a beautifully embroidered black skirt.

She cleverly drew the eye back and forth between her delicate hat and her incredibly high shoes, which made her seem much taller than her already petite height.

Grande was the gift in bow-trimmed Bode at the Australian photo call.

At the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked in November 2024, Cynthia Erivo’s outfit featured a vibrant green design by Louis Vuitton, while Ariana Grande wore a delicate gingham look created by Thom Browne.

Cynthia Erivo, embracing the green associated with her character Elphaba, wore Dior to a November 2024 screening of Wicked hosted by Vogue at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. Ariana Grande also chose pink, but went with a vibrant, hot pink Louis Vuitton look.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo both sparkled at the London premiere of Wicked in November 2024. Grande looked radiant in a flowing Ralph Lauren gown, while Erivo perfectly blended edgy and elegant in a Schiaparelli design.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo embraced a magical theme to celebrate the NBC broadcast of Wicked: One Wonderful Night in November 2025.

Oh my goodness, when she stepped onto the Oscars red carpet, it was like Elphaba herself had arrived! Seriously, the outfit just radiated power – you could feel it. It wasn’t just a dress, it was a statement, and it was all Elphaba, all the time. I was completely mesmerized!

Cynthia’s Oscars outfit featured strong, striking lines and forms, while Ariana’s look was inspired by the character Glinda, embracing a soft and glamorous aesthetic reminiscent of her iconic bubble entrance.

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2026-02-15 22:17