Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande: Friendship, Health, Wicked
Few film press tours have turned a co-star friendship into a public conversation quite like the one between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Since they were cast together in Wicked in November 2021, the two actresses have navigated everything from emotional viral moments to persistent rumors about their relationship. Here’s what the record shows about their bond, the health challenges Ariana has faced, and the questions that still linger.
Wicked Part 1 release date: November 27, 2024 ·
Ariana Grande Grammy wins: 2 ·
Cynthia Erivo Oscar nominations: 1 ·
Actresses’ birth years: 1987 (Erivo) & 1993 (Grande)
Quick snapshot
- Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are close friends (Cosmopolitan)
- Ariana Grande has been diagnosed with PTSD (Harper’s Bazaar)
- They had to stop filming “For Good” due to crying (Cosmopolitan)
- Whether Ariana Grande used weight loss drugs (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Exact nature of Ariana’s vocal change (Harper’s Bazaar)
- 2021: Wicked casting announced (Cosmopolitan)
- September 2024: Vanity Fair cover reveals deep friendship (Harper’s Bazaar)
- February 2026: EOnline dismisses lover rumors (EOnline)
- Wicked: For Good press tour in 2025 (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Part 2 release expected in 2025 (Harper’s Bazaar)
Six key facts anchor the story of Erivo and Grande’s collaboration.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Cynthia Erivo birthplace | London, UK |
| Ariana Grande hometown | Boca Raton, Florida |
| Wicked director | Jon M. Chu |
| Wicked Part 1 release | November 27, 2024 |
| Ariana Grande Grammy wins | 2 |
| Cynthia Erivo Oscar nominations | 1 (for Harriet) |
What relationship did Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have?
What did Cynthia say about her relationship with Ariana?
- Both actresses have confirmed they share a platonic friendship (Harper’s Bazaar)
- They had to sing through tears while filming “For Good” (Cosmopolitan)
- Erivo said she and Grande found “a little piece of ourselves in each other” (Harper’s Bazaar)
Do Cynthia Erivo and Ariana like each other?
In a Vanity Fair (prestige magazine) interview from September 2024, both described their connection as genuine. They publicly referred to each other as “best friends” in an August 21, 2024 Instagram post that read: “We’re just two friends. Two good friends. Two best friends.” (Harper’s Bazaar (fashion magazine))
The pattern: their public statements consistently reinforce a platonic, supportive friendship.
What condition does Ariana Grande suffer from?
What exactly is Ariana Grande’s PTSD diagnosis?
- Ariana Grande has publicly disclosed PTSD after the 2017 Manchester bombing (Teen Vogue (youth culture outlet))
- She has spoken about anxiety and depression in interviews (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Her PTSD diagnosis was discussed further in 2024 press relating to Wicked
What other health conditions has she revealed?
Grande has mentioned in social media posts that she deals with anxiety, but no other formal diagnoses have been reported. The most authoritative source remains her own statements in Teen Vogue (consumer magazine).
Grande’s willingness to discuss mental health publicly has helped normalize PTSD for millions of young fans. Yet no independent medical source has confirmed the details of her treatment or current status.
The implication: Grande’s openness about PTSD has increased awareness, but details remain private.
How did Ariana lose weight so fast?
Did Ariana Grande use weight loss drugs?
- Ariana has not publicly confirmed any specific weight loss methods (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Speculation about Ozempic or other drugs is unverified (Cosmopolitan)
- She has previously credited a vegan diet and exercise for weight changes
What is her known fitness routine?
Grande has not detailed a specific fitness regimen recently. In past years she mentioned dancing and Pilates. The rapid weight loss observed in late 2024 remains unexplained by any reliable source.
Without direct confirmation from Grande or her representatives, any claimed reason for her weight change is speculation. Fans should be cautious about unsubstantiated rumors.
The catch: without official confirmation, speculation should be treated as rumor.
Why does Ariana Grande talk differently now?
Has Ariana Grande changed her accent?
- Ariana’s voice change is often attributed to vocal training and a higher speaking register (Harper’s Bazaar)
- She has acknowledged the shift in interviews, saying it helps her sing in a mixed voice
- No medical condition has been associated with the change
Is there a medical reason for her voice change?
No. The consensus among media reports is that it’s a stylistic choice tied to her singing career. Harper’s Bazaar (celebrity journalism) notes that Grande herself has explained the shift as part of vocal maintenance.
Why was Cynthia Erivo disowned by her father?
What was Cynthia Erivo’s childhood like?
- Erivo was raised primarily by her mother after her father left the family (multiple interviews)
- She has spoken about her mother’s support but rarely discusses her father
- The exact reasons for estrangement have not been fully disclosed by Erivo
Is there public information about her father?
Very little. Erivo has not publicly named her father or detailed the circumstances. The absence of official confirmation means the claim of being “disowned” comes from unverified online sources, not from Erivo or her representatives.
The implication: Erivo’s family history is her own to share, and public speculation may be unfounded.
Timeline: Erivo and Grande’s journey
- : Wicked casting announced with Erivo as Elphaba and Grande as Glinda (Cosmopolitan)
- : Filming of Wicked Parts 1 and 2 (Harper’s Bazaar)
- : Vanity Fair cover interview reveals deep friendship (Harper’s Bazaar)
- : Viral “holding space” interview with journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist (Harper’s Bazaar)
- : Erivo and Grande address the “holding space” moment in Harper’s Bazaar (cover story)
- : Erivo loses voice at Wicked: For Good premiere; Grande supports her by skipping interviews (Harper’s Bazaar)
- : EOnline article dismisses lover rumors (EOnline)
Each major press moment reinforced the same narrative: these two support each other publicly and privately.
The pattern: each timeline event reinforces their mutual support.
What we know vs. what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are close friends – backed by multiple interviews and joint appearances (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Ariana Grande has been diagnosed with PTSD – self-disclosed in 2019 and confirmed in later interviews (Teen Vogue)
- They had to stop filming “For Good” due to crying – described by both actresses in press (Cosmopolitan)
- Wicked Part 1 was released on November 27, 2024 – official release date (Harper’s Bazaar)
What’s unclear
- Cause of Cynthia Erivo’s estrangement from her father – no public confirmation from Erivo
- Whether Ariana Grande used weight loss drugs – no official statement
- Exact nature of Ariana’s vocal change – not medically documented
- Details of Erivo’s father’s identity or whereabouts
- Whether the actresses had any creative differences during filming
Fans want transparency, but the actresses have every right to keep private matters – like family estrangement or medical history – off the record.
The trade-off: fans seek transparency, but privacy rights prevail.
In their own words: key quotes
“We needed real connection.”
Cynthia Erivo, Vanity Fair (September 2024)
“Tabloids have been trying to destroy me since I was a teenager.”
Ariana Grande, Harper’s Bazaar (Vanity Fair interview recap)
“We had to sing through the tears.”
Cynthia Erivo, Reddit (fan discussion)
“Cynthia Erivo addresses whether she and Ariana Grande were lovers.”
For the press cycle that started with Wicked, the friendship between Erivo and Grande became a story in itself. The actresses chose to meet speculation with humor and solidarity – as when they walked the 2025 premiere carpet hand-in-hand after Erivo lost her voice. That single image summed up the entire narrative: two professionals who found in each other what the film’s script called “the other half.” For fans of the musical and newcomers alike, the honest takeaway is simple: this is a collaboration that genuinely worked, despite – or because of – everything else happening in their public lives.
Fans have wondered about the real dynamics between the two, and a recent article examines how their enduring friendship has evolved beyond the Wicked press tour.
Frequently asked questions
Are Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande still friends after Wicked?
Yes. They have continued to appear together on press tours in 2025 and refer to each other as best friends.
Did Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande date?
No. Both have repeatedly said their relationship is platonic. EOnline addressed and dismissed the rumors in February 2026.
What did Ariana Grande say about Cynthia Erivo in interviews?
Grande praised Erivo’s talent and called her a “soulmate” in the Vanity Fair September 2024 cover story.
How did Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande meet?
They met for the first time in 2021 when they were cast as Elphaba and Glinda in the Wicked film adaptation.
What is the nature of Cynthia and Ariana’s bond?
Professional and deeply personal. They describe finding a missing creative piece in each other during the filming process.
Did Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have a falling out?
There is no evidence of any conflict. They have remained publicly supportive through 2025–2026.
The honest takeaway: their bond remains strong and platonic, as confirmed by multiple sources.
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