Cynthia Erivo criticises public reaction to her friendship with Ariana Grande
In a Guardian interview, Cynthia Erivo said the "Wicked" press tours drew "annoyance" that two women could be friends. She also rejected the "bodyguard" label applied to her after an incident in Singapore.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Cynthia Erivo has criticised the reaction to her friendship with her "Wicked" co-star Ariana Grande, saying some people were annoyed that "two women could actually be friends". VarietyLC “There was this weird sort of, what’s the word I’m looking for … annoyance … at the fact that two women could actually be friends.” Read at Variety ↗ Evening StandardN “Cynthia Erivo has hit out at critics who felt "annoyed" by her friendship with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Left · 1She made the comments in an interview with The Guardian. Variety links the interview to her upcoming courtroom drama "Prima Facie". VarietyLC “Erivo told The Guardian during an interview for her upcoming courtroom drama “Prima Facie.”” Read at Variety ↗ Centre · 1Erivo, 39, who is British, and Grande, 33, who is American, grew close while promoting the 2024 film and its 2025 sequel, "Wicked: For Good". The Evening Standard reports that the lengthy press tours produced many talked-about moments. Evening StandardN “British actress Erivo, 39, grew close with American singer Grande, 33, while the pair promoted the 2024 big screen musical and its 2025 sequel.” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Mixed · 2Those moments included hugging and crying, and the pair "holding space" by clutching each other's fingers. Some fans speculated that something was fake or darker behind the friendship. VarietyLC “Many viral moments included the co-stars hugging, crying and — perhaps most infamously — “holding space” by pinching each other’s pointer fingers.” Read at Variety ↗ Evening StandardN “with some fans speculating that there was something fake or darker behind the intense friendship.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Mixed · 2Erivo said many people "had become psychologists from their couches". She recalled the reaction as: "Why are they showing emotion? How dare they cry? And how dare they laugh? And how dare they be emotive and alive?" VarietyLC ““Why are they showing emotion? How dare they cry? And how dare they laugh? And how dare they be emotive and alive?” Erivo asked.” Read at Variety ↗ Evening StandardN “"it was interesting that there were many people who had become psychologists from their couches"” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Mixed · 2She called the situation a "double-edged sword", saying that if they had been "dead behind the eyes" and showed no emotion, people would have found something else to say. She added that she wished someone would set the "proper balance of emotion" to show. VarietyLC ““Because if we were dead behind the eyes and showing no emotion, there would have been something else to say about it.” Read at Variety ↗ Evening StandardN “Erivo explained that it was a "double-edged sword"” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Mixed · 2Variety also reports that Erivo stepped in when a man grabbed Grande on the red carpet in Singapore. Erivo described the moment as terrifying and said her reaction was "Get this man away from us now." The Evening Standard describes the same episode as Erivo protecting Grande from a TikTok prankster. VarietyLC “Erivo jumped into action after a man grabbed Grande on the red carpet in Singapore.” Read at Variety ↗ Evening StandardN “Erivo jumping in to protect Grande from a TikTok prankster” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Left · 1According to Variety, the internet began casting Erivo as Grande's "bodyguard". She said she is uncomfortable with that label and that the reaction was rooted in misogyny and misogynoir. She said she would have acted that way for any friend. VarietyLC “The internet began positioning Erivo as Grande’s “bodyguard,” a description she feels uncomfortable with. She said that reaction was centered in misogyny and misogynoir.” Read at Variety ↗ Centre · 1The Evening Standard adds that there were far fewer viral moments on the second leg of the tour. It says Erivo previously called the "holding space" moment "an innocent moment of confusion and human reaction", and that she "hate[s]" fans trying to recreate it. It also notes that she recently hosted Saturday Night Live UK. Evening StandardN “Erivo described it as "an innocent moment of confusion and human reaction".”““I hate it. I don’t want anyone holding my finger.””“Erivo, who last week hosted Saturday Night Live UK” Read at Evening Standard ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Variety presents Erivo's remarks as a call-out of public hostility, and gives most space to the misogyny and misogynoir point and the "bodyguard" label.
- Emphasis
- The Singapore red-carpet incident and Erivo's discomfort with being cast as a bodyguard.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the second tour leg or her comments on fans recreating "holding space".
- Charged language
- “Calls Out”“misogynoir”
- For example
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“The internet began positioning Erivo as Grande’s “bodyguard,” a description she feels uncomfortable with.” — Variety
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- The Evening Standard frames the story as Erivo hitting out at critics and fans, with background on the viral press-tour moments and fan speculation.
- Emphasis
- The "holding space" moment, fan speculation about the friendship, and Erivo's dislike of people copying the gesture.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not report the misogyny and misogynoir comment or the "bodyguard" label.
- Charged language
- “hit out”“annoyed”
- For example
-
“Cynthia Erivo has hit out at critics who felt "annoyed" by her friendship with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande.” — Evening Standard
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Erivo told The Guardian that people were annoyed that two women could be friends.
- She described people as having become "psychologists from their couches".
- She called the reaction a "double-edged sword".
- The "holding space" finger moment went viral during the Wicked press tours.
Cynthia Erivo person
Erivo says the scrutiny of her friendship was unfair and that she would have protected any friend. She rejects the "bodyguard" label.
““Why are they showing emotion? How dare they cry? And how dare they laugh? And how dare they be emotive and alive?” Erivo asked.” — Variety
Ariana Grande person
Grande is not quoted in either article. She is described as Erivo's co-star and friend, and as the person Erivo protected in Singapore.
“British actress Erivo, 39, grew close with American singer Grande, 33” — Evening Standard
Left1 article
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Sympathetic Reports Erivo's critique of public reaction, including her remarks on misogyny and the "bodyguard" label.
Centre1 article
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Cynthia Erivo calls out fans 'annoyed’ by Ariana Grande friendship
Neutral Relays Erivo's Guardian remarks with context on fan speculation and viral tour moments.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 28 Oct 19:33 First VarietyLC Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Public’s ‘Annoyance’ Over Ariana Grande Friendship: ‘Why Are They Showing Emotion? How Dare They Cry!’
- 29 Oct 09:49 +14h 17m Evening StandardN Cynthia Erivo calls out fans 'annoyed’ by Ariana Grande friendship
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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