‘Strange fascination’: Cynthia Erivo speaks out on Ariana Grande dating rumours

Cynthia Erivo has addressed the “strange fascination” that had fans convincing themselves her bond with ‘Wicked’ co-star Ariana Grande was something more than friendship.

After more than a year of online speculation, memes, and people analysing their body language like it’s a full-time job, Cynthia has officially shut down any and all secret lover rumours.

In an interview with Stylist, she said some people seemed genuinely confused by the idea that two women could share a deep connection and just be friends…

"At first, I think people didn’t understand how it was possible for two women to be friends - close- and not lovers,” she began. 

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.

She believes the rumours came about because "there’s such little conversation around platonic female friendship that is deep and real, even though it exists everywhere.”

“We’re not used to seeing it on camera, in front of people,” Erivo continued. 

A relationship where people are connected sometimes just makes people uncomfortable; we aren’t taught that those relationships are good for us.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of online conversations have touched on the pair's closeness throughout the filming and release of both ‘Wicked’ and its sequel ‘Wicked: For Good’, released last year.

One of the most talked about moments being Cynthia stepping up to protect Ariana Grande over her own security detail during the Singapore premiere of ‘Wicked: For Good’.

ICYMI - An over excited fan - later revealed as Johnson Wen - was arrested after jumping a barricade and grabbing Ariana Grande. 

But it was Cynthia who jumped into action to protect her friend.

“I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe,” Erivo explained on Today, following the event. “I’m sure he didn’t mean us harm, but you never know with those things.”

I wanted to make sure that she was OK. That was my first instinct.

While some fans played into the relationship theories, Erivo explained in her latest interview that it is purely sisterhood.

“We’re kind of like sisters at this moment in time,” she said. “We’ve both learned from each other and given each other some really, really beautiful gifts. We’ve really looked after each other through this.”

Sometimes it really is that simple. They love each other for sure… AS FRIENDS!