Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Critics of Her Ariana Grande Friendship: "Two Women Can Actually Be Friends"

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have been one of the most beloved duos in Hollywood since Wicked hit theaters, but according to Erivo, not everyone was happy about it. In a new interview with The Guardian, the Tony winner said there was a strange annoyance from critics at the fact that two women could genuinely be close friends. She described the public scrutiny as a double-edged sword, where any display of emotion drew judgment from outsiders.

Erivo also recalled the moment she stepped in during a fan incident in Singapore, only to be labeled Grande’s“bodyguard”online. She said the remark disrespected her humanity, and honestly, that reaction makes sense. Protecting a friend in a tense situation shouldn’t get reduced to a job title. The two starred together as Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked and are back for Wicked: For Good, and Erivo has previously shut down rumors that they were anything more than friends.

The story is landing with fans because it touches something universal: close female friendships get questioned in a way that male friendships rarely do. Have you ever had a friendship that outsiders just couldn’t understand? Drop your story in the comments.