Cynthia Erivo slammed social media users who questioned her friendship with Wicked co-star Ariana Grande. She said, “It was interesting that there were many people who had become psychologists from their couches.” The actor felt annoyed that people doubted their bond, noting that women can be friends without hidden motives.
“It was interesting that there were many people who had become psychologists from their couches. 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,” she said.
Cynthia said that many social media users appeared to question the authenticity of their bond, ascribing hidden ulterior motives to it. “Like, ‘Why are they friends? Why are they connected? There must be something wrong with them. Why are they showing emotion? How dare they cry? And how dare they laugh? And how dare they be emotive and alive?’” she said.
Describing the reaction as a "double-edged sword", Cynthia said the actresses would likely have faced criticism even if they had displayed little emotion during their public appearances.
Responding to the incident and the chatter around it, the actor said, “I was like: ‘Oh, you think because I look like this that you could talk to me this way about something that was a human thing that I would have done for any friend, and hopefully a friend would have done for me'.”