Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s friendship gained significant media attention in late 2022 and early 2023, although they had been close friends since 2021. Why did it take nearly two years for the public to become aware of them? After being lead actors in Wicked, their “sisterhood” started becoming more evident during the press tours while filming the musical.
Many may call their friendship ‘strange’ or ‘out of the ordinary’ because of how close they are with each other, while the actresses say it is just pure genuineness and supportive nature. They are intense and affectionate with each other, which has made some people uncomfortable.
Ashley Mendez (11) said she views their friendship positively. “They just look like they’re a couple, to be honest. I get that they got close fast, but the way Cynthia acts like Ariana’s bodyguard seems kind of weird.”
I agree with her because Ariana is old enough to take care of herself. Yes, bodyguards are necessary because the way Cynthia acts is unusual. During interviews, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande would cry, hold hands tightly, have melodramatic sobs, and look at each other as if it were their last time to be able to see one another.
Natalia Magana (11) told me she had seen clips of them together on TikTok and other social media, and she found it weird. She said, “I don’t see friends doing that, not even super close friends, so I was weirded out when I would see those clips of them.” Some observers characterized the relationship between Cynthia and Ariana as “toxic.” Tabloid reporters from Star Magazine said that the relationship became ‘hostile and toxic’ during the filming of Wicked, and a mediator was hired to manage them.
These reports claim that their public affection is an act and secretly don’t actually get along. Valeria Martinez (11) agreed with these reports. “Any couple that is THAT close to each other can’t actually like each other. I know I wouldn’t like to constantly be around someone who acts like I’m not able to do anything by myself.”
Some fans and critics overanalyzed their intense physical closeness, as the pair constant are hand-holding and interlocking fingers. Is this an unhealthy/toxic co-dependency? Social media even suggested that their intense bond could be a form of “trauma bonding” rooted in shared personal struggles. Despite all of this backlash, Cynthia Erivo pushed back against these labels, stating that the public’s strange fascination and discomfort came from a lack of representation for deep, platonic, female friendships. She maintains that their connection is genuine, supportive, and healthy, even if it makes others uneasy.
