During a recent interview with The Stylist, British-Nigerian actress and singer Cynthia Erivo responded to the rumors that she and her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande were “lovers” because of their close bond.
“At first, I think people didn’t understand how it was possible for two women to be friends—close—and not lovers,” Erivo, 39, said. “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 added. “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.”
Erivo hardly talks about her love life, though she is rumored to be dating filmmaker Lena Waithe, 41.
READ ALSO: Fan now plans to return hat Cynthia Erivo left at her ‘Wicked’ premiere last year
The rumors of Erivo and Grande, 32, being romantically involved swirled during the Wicked and Wicked: For Good press tours, as their close relationship was there for all to see. During the film’s premiere in Singapore, Erivo was seen helping Grande after a fan jumped a barricade and approached the Side to Side singer.
“We have come through some s–t,” she said at the special Screen Actors Guild NomCom consideration screening at the Saban Media Center Wolf Theater in Los Angeles on November 15, per E! News. “We have come through some stuff in our lives, in our daily workings. I mean, f–k, even this last week.”
“Let’s be honest, for f–k’s sakes,” she added, “we’ve had to really deal with some stuff, and this movie has allowed us to really grow as people, as friends, as sisters, as artists, as actresses.”
“There are other people who have seen themselves in this movie, in that character, and also now see themselves and feel safe,” Erivo continued. “That, for me, is the pinnacle of what I could ever wish for from any piece of work I have ever done. And I am so glad that in order to do it, I had to look into the eyes of this person beside me.”
READ ALSO: Cynthia Erivo, who identifies as queer, speaks on her romantic relationships
