Ariana Grande shuts down ‘graphic’ Wicked conspiracy about her friendship with Cynthia Erivo

Ariana Grande has addressed *those rumours about her friendship with Cynthia Erivo (Picture: Shutterstock)

Ariana Grande finally addressed the ongoing speculation that she and Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo are in love.

It’s safe to say everyone looks back at last year’s Wicked press tour with ‘uhh’ fond memories as the One Last Time hitmaker, 31, and the Harriet Tubman actress, 38, were often seen holding each other’s hands, reflecting on their close bond, and crying. There was a lot of crying.

As we prepare to go through it all again this year with the upcoming release of the sequel Wicked: For Good, a certain group of fans have noted down the times Ariana (Glinda) and Cynthia (Elphaba) have locked eyes, and believe they are ‘down bad’ for each other.

Addressing the wild conspiracy, the former Nickelodeon star told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘People think we’re secretly married.’

Referencing the viral yet explicit fan edits, she continued: ‘I wish I could unsee some things. I mean, wow, I had a feeling, but I didn’t know it would be on this scale or this graphic.’

Nothing romantic going on, just a pure genuine friendship!

Cynthia and Ariana’s strong bond has led fans to think differently (Picture: FilmMagic) ‘People think we’re secretly married’ (Picture: Invision)

When promotion for the film first began, the duo was criticised for being overly sentimental as they discussed the film and one another’s talent.

The musical duo also admitted to having a secret tattoo dedicated to their journal on the multi-nominated movie.

In what was described as one of the most bizarre pop culture moments, Cynthia had a very emotional reaction to learning how fans were responding to Defying Gravity.

In an interview with Out Magazine, journalist Tracey Gilcrest told the lead actors that a key song from the musical was empowering fans in a unique way.

‘This week people are taking the lyrics of Defying Gravity and really holding space with that, and feeling power in that,’ she said.

Cynthia clutched her chest and looked emotional as she replied: ‘I didn’t know that was happening.’

Viral moments aside, Ariana and Cynthia lead Wicked to 10 Oscar Nominations, Including Best Picture.

Cynthia is also an Oscar away from achieving the coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) status.

On hand to guide us through the coverage will be Jonathan Ross, who will host a special show bringing all of Hollywood’s action to UK viewers.

This will include live coverage of the Oscars red carpet with Ross King broadcasting directly from the event at the Dolby Theatre, followed by the coveted awards ceremony, which begins at midnight.

Full list of Oscars 2025 nominations

Best Picture

Anora

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

I’m Still Here

Nickel Boys

The Substance

Wicked

Best Director

Sean Baker, Anora

Brady Corbet, The Brutalist

James Mangold, A Complete Unknown

Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez

Coralie Fargeat, The Substance

Best Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes, Conclave

Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

Best Actress

Cynthia Erivo, Wicked

Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez

Mikey Madison, Anora

Demi Moore, The Substance

Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here

Best Supporting Actor

Yura Borisov, Anora

Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain

Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown

Guy Pearce, The Brutalist

Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice

Best Supporting Actress

Monica Barbaro, A Complete Unknown

Ariana Grande, Wicked

Felicity Jones, The Brutalist

Isabella Rossellini, Conclave

Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez

Best Original Screenplay

Anora

The Brutalist

A Real Pain

September 5

The Substance

Best Adapted Screenplay

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Nickel Boys

Sing Sing

Best Animated Feature

Flow

Inside Out 2

Memoir Of A Snail

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The Wild Robot

Best International Feature Film

I’m Still Here (Brazil)

The Girl With The Needle (Denmark)

Emilia Pérez (France)

The Seed Of The Sacred Fig (Germany)

Flow (Latvia)

Best Documentary Feature Film

Black Box Diaries

No Other Land

Porcelain War

Soundtrack To A Coup D’Etat

Sugarcane

Best Original Score

The Brutalist

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Wicked

The Wild Robot

Best Original Song

‘El Mal’, Emilia Pérez

‘The Journey’, The Six Triple Eight

‘Like A Bird’, Sing Sing

‘Mi Camino’, Emilia Pérez

‘Never Too Late’, Elton John: Never Too Late

Best Cinematography

The Brutalist

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

Maria

Nosferatu

Best Editing

Anora

The Brutalist

Conclave

Emilia Pérez

Wicked

Best Sound

A Complete Unknown

Dune: Part Two

Emilia Pérez

Wicked

The Wild Robot

Best Production Design

The Brutalist

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Nosferatu

Wicked

Best Makeup And Hairstyling

A Different Man

Emilia Pérez

Nosferatu

The Substance

Wicked

Best Costume Design

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Gladiator II

Nosferatu

Wicked

Best Visual Effects

Alien: Romulus

Better Man

Dune: Part Two

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

Wicked 

Best Documentary Short Film

Death By Numbers

I Am Ready, Warden

Incident

Instruments Of A Beating Heart

The Only Girl In The Orchestra

Best Live-Action Short Film

A Lien

Anuja

I’m Not A Robot

The Last Ranger

The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent

Best Animated Short Film

Beautiful Men

In The Shadow Of The Cypress

Magic Candies

Wander To Wonder

Yuck!

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