# Cynthia Erivo Calls Out Public’s ‘Annoyance’ Over Ariana Grande Friendship: ‘Why Are They Showing Emotion? How Dare They Cry!’

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/cynthia-erivo-calls-out-publics-annoyance-over-ariana-grande-friendship-why-are-they-showing-emotion-how-dare-they-cry/
- Published: 2026-10-28T19:33:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T20:21:35+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/cynthia-erivo-annoyance-ariana-grande-friendship-wicked-1236933585/
- Topics: Celebrity, Entertainment, Film, Music, Space, Technology

## Key points

- Erivo says the public questioned her friendship with Grande.
- Their emotional press tour moments went viral.
- Erivo says the “bodyguard” label reflected misogyny and misogynoir.

## Summary

Cynthia Erivo says some people reacted with “annoyance” to the close friendship she shares with Ariana Grande, questioning why the two women were so connected. She argues that their emotional moments during the *Wicked* press tour were scrutinised regardless of how they behaved.

Erivo said the stars’ hugs, tears and laughter drew online attention, while she felt the label of Grande’s “bodyguard” after intervening when a man grabbed Grande at a Singapore red carpet. She described that framing as rooted in misogyny and misogynoir, saying she acted as a friend would.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.