Cynthia Erivo Pushes Back on Rumors She and Ariana Grande Were 'Lovers'
Cynthia Erivo has addressed lingering speculation that her friendship with Ariana Grande crossed into romance, calling the chatter a reflection of cultural discomfort with close platonic relationships between women. In an interview published Feb. 10 (ET), the actor explained why fans and observers seemed unable to accept the pair's visible bond without reading it as romantic.
Why the speculation took hold
Erivo suggested that the public's reaction wasn't rooted in anything the two did but in how women’s relationships are perceived. People, she said, struggled to understand how two women could be both intimate and not romantic, and that lack of a mainstream narrative for deep, non-romantic female friendships helped fuel rumors. She described the attention as a 'strange fascination' where observers assumed the closeness was either staged for cameras or evidence of a secret romance.
The pair's frequent onstage tenderness and shared moments during a long press tour made their connection highly visible. Clips of the actors supporting each other circulated widely, and some of those moments — hand-holding, embraces, and protective gestures — were interpreted by some as signs of a romantic relationship rather than signs of solidarity and friendship.
Friendship, safety and the toll of the tour
Erivo also pointed to the emotional and logistical pressures the two endured while promoting their films, noting that the project helped them grow together as colleagues and friends. She recalled a frightening incident at a Singapore premiere when she shielded Grande after a fan jumped over a barricade, and later reflected in public remarks about the ways shared hardship deepened their bond. Erivo framed those episodes as evidence of their commitment to each other and to the work, not as confirmation of a romance.
Both women maintain public relationships outside their friendship: Grande has been linked with a co-star, and Erivo has been in a long-term relationship with her partner. Erivo emphasized that close physical reassurance and consistent contact can be how friends care for one another, especially in a high-pressure promotional environment where gestures of support are often literal and immediate.
Public reaction and the broader conversation
The conversation around Erivo and Grande's relationship speaks to a wider cultural blind spot: the relative invisibility of deep, platonic female friendships in the narratives audiences are used to seeing. Erivo argued that there is limited public language for recognizing and validating those bonds, which makes observers default to romantic explanations when they see intense closeness.
That dynamic also intersects with celebrity culture, where intimate moments are frequently parsed for indicators of private life. Erivo’s comments aim to reframe how such moments are read, urging audiences to accept that women can form profound, non-romantic attachments that are visible, affectionate, and sustaining.
Beyond the headlines, both performers continue to promote their work and make appearances together at high-profile events, often drawing attention for coordinated fashion moments and onstage camaraderie. Erivo described the reaction she and her co-star have received as an illustration of how audiences sometimes struggle to hold space for friendships that are intense but not romantic, and she used her platform to advocate for broader recognition of those relationships.
As the discussion continues, Erivo’s remarks offer a clear call: recognize and normalize deep platonic bonds between women, rather than forcing them into the categories of romance or performance.
