As Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande return to the big screen with the eagerly anticipated second installment of Wicked, Erivo has shared insights about the deep connection the film helped create between them.
In her newly released book, Simply More: A Book For Anyone That Has Been Told They’re Too Much, the British actress discusses a ‘pact’ she formed with Grande before the filming commenced, a promise that would forge a strong relationship both on and off the set.
“Before Wicked really started rolling, Ariana and I made a pact with each other,” Erivo wrote.
“We committed to protecting and caring for each other through this process. We hear often how female costars - or really, any costars - can sometimes let their egos get in the way until they battle each other, destroying the creative process for everyone involved. We were determined to do the opposite.”
During the filmmaking process, director Jon M. Chu organized a dinner for the key creatives involved in adapting the popular Broadway musical for the silver screen.
This event marked the first encounter between Erivo and Grande, and it was an intense moment as they were unexpectedly asked to perform ‘For Good’ together.
“It was astonishing,” Erivo said. “Our two very distinct voices somehow found each other and became one.”
She added: “If we could sing like that without having done it before, if we could make magic with absolutely no practice, if we could combine our voices this powerfully in front of a room of people – with nothing, no makeup, no costumes – then we could really do this.”
This realization led Erivo to propose a ‘pact’ with Grande, which she considered an ‘important’ part of their collaboration.
“We were always looking out for each other,” she explained.
“Our partnership was important. We shared a strong synergy, a commitment to authenticity, and that, combined with the natural connection we fostered both on and off set, allowed us to support each other emotionally and professionally.”
That support extended to every aspect, both during ‘good moments’ and when things were ‘more complicated, a little tough’.
Erivo reflected: “The fact that we were consistently there for the other, over time, built deep trust. And that trust and togetherness created a level of honesty and intimacy that allowed us to actually make a film as special as this one.”
She concluded: “Just as part of Wicked is a story about two women learning how to love each other, so we practiced the same in our own lives, on camera and off. We made each other family.”
Throughout the intensive marketing campaign for Wicked, Erivo has stayed true to her commitment, even putting herself in harm’s way to safeguard Grande from an overzealous fan.
Their friendship is characterized by a strong physical connection, with both stars engaging in subtle gestures like touches and hand squeezes during potentially stressful moments.
On Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Grande elaborated on their relationship, stating that they wanted ‘to be safe in each other’, with their emotional and physical closeness helping them stay ‘as connected as much as possible, every step of the way’.