Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are always holding space for each other.
The “Wicked” stars have forged a profound bond on and off screen, with harmonious performances and tearful interviews about how they’ve changed each other for good. But with their many viral moments, there have also been immense challenges: Last year, the Oscar nominees received intrusive criticism on social media for their appearances, with fans making mean-spirited assumptions about their health.
In a recent interview about "Wicked: For Good" (in theaters Nov. 21) and her new book “Simply More,” Erivo said that early on, she and Grande set a precedent to always support one another.
“That was right at the beginning,” Erivo tells USA TODAY. “We’ve had this conversation about people talking about what we look like, and we’re able to look at one another and say, ‘Just know I see you and everything that you are. Whatever state you’re in, you’re so beautiful to me.’ ”
If Erivo does a red carpet that she didn't tell Grande about, "she’ll see it and I’ll get a message from her that just says, ‘By the way, you look beautiful in this.’ Then I’ll send her the same message as well,” the British actress says.
