Erivo addresses online speculation about her relationship with Ariana Grande during Wicked press tour, dismissing claims of manufactured friendship.
Actress and singer Cynthia Erivo has responded to ongoing online speculation about her friendship with Ariana Grande, following heightened public attention during the global promotional tour for the upcoming film Wicked.
Throughout the press tour, the pair have frequently been seen sharing affectionate exchanges and supportive remarks in interviews and public appearances, prompting widespread discussion on social media about the nature of their relationship.
While many fans have praised the visible bond between the two stars as genuine and uplifting, others have questioned whether the closeness is authentic or part of a coordinated publicity strategy for the film.
Speaking in a recent interview, Erivo addressed the speculation directly, saying public interpretations often diverge sharply from reality.
“It’s very interesting, watching what people’s perception is versus what the reality actually is,” Erivo said. “Lots of psychologists seated at home deciding who we were, what we were going through, what we were doing and why.”
She added that some online commentators appeared reluctant to accept that the friendship was real.
“I think that people didn’t really believe that we were actually friends. But that’s also because people don’t know me very well. If I’m a friend, then I’m a friend. If I’m not, then I’m not,” she said.
This is not the first time Erivo has addressed the topic. She previously dismissed suggestions that the pair were exaggerating their closeness for promotional purposes.
Erivo also argued that public skepticism may stem from a lack of visibility around emotionally open, non-romantic friendships between women in mainstream media narratives.
