Ariana Grande Says She "Was a Different Person" Before Meeting Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo has profoundly influenced Ariana Grande. During a two-part conversation on the ‘Podcrushed’ podcast, Grande, 30, reflected on how meeting Erivo, 37, on the set of their upcoming musical film ‘Wicked’ transformed her. 

"I was a different person before I met Cynthia," Grande shared. "I hope we learned a lot from each other, but I learned so much as a person from her. She loves deeply, with honesty and integrity, like a true Capricorn."

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Discussing their roles in the film, Grande, who plays Glinda opposite Erivo's Elphaba, noted, "The characters are so different, and you never know how that will play out when you're sharing such a significant experience. People have their own creative processes and needs, and you wonder if it will be a healthy collaboration. It turned out to be the most symbiotic, beautiful experience," she continued.

Grande became emotional, expressing gratitude for working with Erivo. "I feel so lucky to have made this movie with someone as incredibly talented as her," she said. "There's no one like Cynthia. We somehow speak the same language, and it feels like we were meant to do this together. I felt safe and supported every single day."

She added that their working relationship mirrored their characters' dynamic, with "similar but different processes and needs." Despite these differences, they developed a profound trust and love for each other. "I think it all happened the way it did because we were meant to be in each other's lives. I love her so much."

Erivo echoed these sentiments on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ in December 2023, describing their bond as "special" and calling Grande "the best." She added, "She's got a family member for life now." Their vocal chemistry also stood out to Erivo. "Our voices are very different, but when we sing together, it just works," she said.

‘Wicked: Part One’ hits theaters on 27th November.

–Farheen Ali