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Actor Awards 2026 Nominations: Cynthia Erivo, Gwyneth Paltrow and More Snubs & Surprises
Something has changed within Cynthia Erivo, and she’s ready to address those Ariana Grande romance rumors.
Indeed, the actress—who costarred alongside the “Into You” singer in Jon M. Chu's Wicked movies as Elphaba Thropp—addressed chatter that the pair’s close friendship flourished into something more.
“At first, I think people didn’t understand how it was possible for two women to be friends—close—and not lovers,” Cynthia, 39, told The Stylist in an interview published Feb. 10. “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,” Cynthia—who has been romantically linked to Lena Waithe since 2022—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.”
Cynthia and Ariana—who plays Glinda in the Wicked films—made headlines throughout the Wicked and Wicked: For Good press tours due to clips capturing their emotional bond. In fact, days after Cynthia was videoed protected Ariana, 32, when a fan jumped over the barricade to rush her during their film’s Singapore premiere, the Harriet star reflected on the terrifying incident.
"We have come through some s--t," she explained at the Nov. 15 special Screen Actors Guild NomCom consideration screening at the Saban Media Center Wolf Theater in Los Angeles. "We have come through some stuff in our lives, in our daily workings. I mean, f--k, even this last week."
Photo by Darren Gerrish/WireImage for Universal Pictures
"Let's be honest, for f--k's sakes," she continued, "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."
But despite the ups and downs that the pair have experienced together, Cynthia couldn’t be more grateful to have walked the yellow brick road by the Grammy winner's side.
"There are other people who have seen themselves in this movie, in that character, and also now see themselves and feel safe," Cynthia added. "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."
And while Ariana and Cynthia are known for their sweet friendship, they’re also known for their coordinating fashion moments. For their best Ozian-inspired looks together, read on…
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Coming Attractions
Presenting together at the 2024 Oscars in March, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were already teasing what was in store from the first installment of Wicked, coming to theaters Nov. 22.
Erivo, who plays green-hued "bad" witch Elphaba, looked ready for both the red carpet and battle in leather Louis Vuitton with reptilian ruffles down the back. And Grande, who costars as "good" witch Glinda, channeled old Hollywood glam in a powder-pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture column gown magically accented with enough fabric to provide a peplum, a stole, a bustle and a train all at once.
David Becker/WireImage
They Know About Popular
The Wicked train chugged into CinemaCon in April with Grande all aboard in a white and pink Oscar de la Renta minidress that resembled a blooming flower, while Erivo sported a green and silver Versace ensemble, including fierce thigh-high satin boots.
Not the colors of dear old Shiz, but she has an open invitation to play Quidditch for Slytherin.
JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images
Très Chic
Gold for best dressed went to team Wicked at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the costars were
spotted at multiple events.
But first, they kicked off the Games at the July 26 Opening Ceremony, Erivo in a strapless green Louis Vuitton gown with a gravity-defying silhouette and Grande in a drop-waist powder-pink Thom Browne dress that would've made Audrey Hepburn proud.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Where Troubles Melt Like Lemon Drops
Erivo, who also performed "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the event, looked wickedly good in a glittering emerald gown by Naeem Khan at the 2024 Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 4th Annual Gala on Oct. 19.
Another popular choice: Grande's leather-trimmed polka dot ball gown courtesy of Balmain.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
Coat of Many Colors
Erivo accessorized her T-shirt and cropped jeans with bright-green pumps and a patterned Louis Vuitton coat at an Oct. 2024 screening of Wicked at the DGA Theater in New York.
Grande looked ready for her first day of witch university in a cream-colored button-down vest and matching skirt by Atelier Versace.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards
Peas in a Pod
It's unclear if Grande floated to the WSJ. Magazine 2024 Innovator Awards inside a magical bubble, but her delicately embroidered white Vivienne Westwood gown was fit for such a journey.
Meanwhile, Erivo's Erdem dress—gray pinstripes overlaid with embellished green silk—was Land of Oz meets Wall Street.
Saverio Marfia/Getty Images
Good Witch of the North
Grande went full Glinda at the Nov. 2024 Australian premiere of Wicked in a pink Vivienne Westwood ball gown.
Don Arnold/WireImage
Far From Basic
Erivo leaned into Elphaba's wicked future at the premiere in a black Louis Vuitton strapless gown, accessorized with a massive lion's head choker and another bedazzled green manicure.
"I love this outfit so much because it speaks to my character," the British actress told Vogue Australia before heading to the red carpet (or, in this case, yellow brick road). "It reminds me of wings and defying gravity."
Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Every Look There Is or Was
Erivo cast yet another spell at the Nov. 2024 Wicked photocall in Australia, this time in an emerald and black Marc Jacobs blouse paired with a black embroidered skirt.
And for her latest trick: Dividing the eye's attention between her dainty fascinator and the towering multistrap Mary Jane platforms that added at least 6 inches to her 5-foot-1 frame.
Don Arnold/WireImage
Ways to Flirt and Flounce
Grande was the gift in bow-trimmed Bode at the Australian photo call.
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Changed for Good
Louis Vuitton didn't hold back on the green for Erivo and Thom Browne provided Grande's dainty gingham look at the Los Angeles premiere of Wicked on Nov. 2024.
XNY/Star Max/GC Images
Because I Knew You
Leaning into Elphaba's eventual preferred color, Erivo wore Dior to a Nov. 2024 Wicked screening hosted by Vogue at New York's Museum of Modern Art, while Grande turned up the pink meter from pastel to hot in Louis Vuitton.
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
The Chance to Fly
Across the pond for Wicked's London premiere on Nov. 2024, Grande was cheery as a buttercup in a dreamy Ralph Lauren gown and Erivo hit the sweet spot where punk meets princess courtesy of Schiaparelli.
Ralph Bavaro/NBC via Getty Images
One Wonderful Night
Ariana and Cynthia channeled their inner witch in honor of NBC's WIcked: One Wonderful Night TV special in November 2025.
Gilbert Flores/Penske Media via Getty Images
Wicked Through and Through
Whent the Broadway star arrived at the 2025 Oscars ceremony, she did so in a look that exuded the power only Elphaba can bring.
Arturo Holmes/WireImage
A Celebration the Glinda Way
Whereas Cynthia's Oscars look was all bold lines and arresting shapes, Ariana's was perfetly Glinda-fied—channeling the softness and glam of the woman who came down in a bubble.
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