Ariana Grande Finds Healing Through ‘Wicked’ Costar Cynthia Erivo
Ariana Grande attributes her emotional healing to her Wicked costar, Cynthia Erivo. In a recent interview with The New York Times published on November 6, Grande, age 31, spoke warmly about their bond.
Grande remarked, "I feel really inspired by her fierce ability to be truthful and protect herself." She plays the role of Glinda, while Erivo portrays Elphaba. Grande noted that being around Erivo has made her a "more of an ally to myself." Previously, she often engaged in self-abandonment. She expressed gratitude for their friendship's impact on her life.
Moved by her experiences, Grande shared, "I literally promised myself in the car I wasn’t going to do this." Her journey, alongside a character that has self-belief, has allowed her to address painful aspects within herself. She realized the need for a friend like Erivo and a character like Glinda.
Grande openly identified as a recovering people-pleaser. "Someone would punch me in the face, and I’d say, ‘I’m sorry,’" she said, clarifying that her humor masked deeper struggles. She struggled to voice her true feelings due to the fear of judgment. "It’s a beautiful thing to overcome," she added, highlighting her growth.
Throughout her career, Grande has faced numerous challenges. These include the tragic bombing at her Manchester concert in 2017 and the loss of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, the following year. She also navigated her divorce from Dalton Gomez in 2023. Although there was speculation about her connection with costar Ethan Slater, both actors denied any wrongdoing with their former partners.
Erivo reciprocated Grande's admiration, stating, "I don’t know if she knows, but she’s definitely changed my life." She described how Grande was one of the first to accept her fully. Together, they discussed dreams and ambitions, with Grande encouraging Erivo to believe in her aspirations as a musician. "I realized I could have what I want in this lifetime, in my own way," Erivo said.
Erivo further expressed gratitude for Grande's guidance. "She taught me to handle this crazy beast that is emerging success," she shared. Grande has been a supportive figure as Erivo steps into newfound success.
Wicked is set to debut in theaters on November 22, with its story reflecting the witches of Oz as they transition from rivals to friends. The two-part film also features Jacob Slater as Boq, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Marissa Bode as Nessarose, and Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond.
In addition, Grande has expressed her challenges related to auditioning for Glinda. On the November 1 episode of the Sentimental Man podcast, she described the audition as a significant hurdle. "It has to be earned. You must do the work to reframe perceptions," she emphasized, underlining her determination.