Cynthia Erivo talks Ariana Grande relationship, ‘strange fascination’

Cynthia Erivo wants the public to hold more space for female friendship.

In an interview with Stylist, the Oscar-nominated actress, 39, reflected on her relationship with her “Wicked” costar Ariana Grande and fans’ misconceptions about their bond.

While promoting both “Wicked” films, Erivo and Grande became known for giving frequently emotional joint interviews, and they often held hands during media appearances together.

“At first, I think people didn’t understand how it was possible for two women to be friends – close – and not lovers,” Erivo told Stylist. “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. 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.”

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.”

Cynthia Erivo shares the sweet way she supports Ariana Grande

Based on the Broadway musical set in the world of “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” and its follow-up movie, “Wicked: For Good,” centered on the close friendship between its central characters, Erivo’s Elphaba Thropp and Grande’s Glinda Upland.

The actress’ joint appearances often went viral and inspired memes during the press tours for the two films, particularly a 2024 interview where Grande held Erivo’s finger. Another popular meme was spawned by an interview where Grande choked up, and took a long pause, after she was asked how working with Erivo has changed her.

While appearing on Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast in November, Grande joked that she jumped into her friendship with Erivo “way too fast,” noting she told her early on that “there’s nothing that we can’t talk about,” and “you don’t have to face something alone if you need help with something.”

Poehler told Grande on the podcast that it’s “really sweet how you touch each other” in a “non-sexual way,” to which Grande laughed. “I channel a lot of energy through my hands, and so I’m always holding a hand, I’m always squeezing something,” Grande explained.

Cynthia Erivo had a ‘witchy’ way to get in character for ‘Wicked: For Good’

Erivo previously opened up about her friendship with Grande in a November interview with USA TODAY, sharing how they supported each other as they both dealt with body-shaming.

“That was right at the beginning,” Erivo said. “We’ve had this conversation about people talking about what we look like, and we’re able to look at one another and say, ‘Just know I see you and everything that you are. Whatever state you’re in, you’re so beautiful to me.'”

Erivo continued that when she would appear on a red carpet without Grande, the singer would “see it and I’ll get a message from her that just says, ‘By the way, you look beautiful in this.’ Then I’ll send her the same message as well.”

Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY