Cynthia Erivo Defends Friendship with Ariana Grande Amid Controversy
A Strong Bond Amidst Controversy
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have developed a close friendship while working together on the musical adaptations of "Wicked" and its sequel, "Wicked: For Good." However, their relationship has ignited significant discussions online, with some users labeling Erivo as Grande's "bodyguard." In response to these comments, Erivo has highlighted that many of the reactions, particularly regarding a specific incident at a promotional event, are influenced by racial biases.
In a recent conversation with Variety, Erivo recounted an incident during the promotional event for "Wicked: For Good" in Singapore. She described how a fan leaped over a barrier and grabbed Grande, leaving the crowd in shock. "Nobody moved. Nobody moved. So I moved because my brain went, ‘Get him away! Get him out of here!’" Erivo shared, noting that the man was holding onto Grande tightly, which prompted her to intervene. She emphasized the importance of personal space, stating, "Everyone was really scared because of what happened."
Despite her instinctive protective response, Erivo expressed her disappointment over the negative online reactions that ensued. She believes these comments reflect a larger societal issue regarding the perception of Black women. "I think that we haven’t really come to terms with the insidious nature of how we view Black women," she remarked. Erivo pointed out that the mockery she faced was linked to her appearance, including her physique and baldness, which led to misguided assumptions about her involvement in the incident.
Erivo also shared that the online backlash impacted her willingness to engage in promotional activities for "Wicked: For Good." She admitted to contemplating stepping back from such events entirely, stating, "I just felt like my humanity had been bastardized." She explained that her instinctive actions were misinterpreted due to societal biases, saying, "I didn’t want to put myself through it. I didn’t feel like I deserved it."
The incident on the red carpet took place during the promotional tour in Singapore, where a fan named Johnson Wen jumped the barrier and grabbed Grande. Erivo, along with other cast members and security, quickly intervened to remove the individual. Following the event, Wen received a nine-day jail sentence, underscoring the serious nature of the security breach.