Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are struggling to contain their emotions, with tears flowing freely as they promote their roles as Elphaba and Glinda in the highly anticipated film Wicked: Part One. The strong bond they share off-screen mirrors the deep friendship portrayed between their characters in the movie. For those seeking confirmation of their connection, look no further than their numerous interviews throughout the Wicked press tour, where emotional moments have consistently made headlines.
On the promotional circuit, both Erivo and Grande have been spotted tearing up multiple times, and their emotional exchanges have garnered significant attention online. While a portion of fans celebrates the genuine vulnerability displayed by the duo, some have taken to social media to turn their tearful moments into humorous memes, adding an amusing twist to the already heartwarming narrative.
Embracing the lightheartedness of their emotional displays, the two stars have been the first to joke about their tearfulness, having playfully apologized for their emotional outbursts on several occasions. They have also taken a stand in defense of their genuine feelings, emphasizing that their tears stem from profound “happiness” and “joy.”
“You need to understand, it’s been, like, three years, people!” Grande expressed during an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the film’s Los Angeles premiere. “Why does emotional availability scare you so?” The heartfelt sentiment resonated with many fans, reinforcing the authenticity of their bond.
With Wicked: Part Two set to be released in 2025, audiences can undoubtedly expect even more emotional moments as Erivo and Grande continue their promotional journey for the films over the coming year. Below is a recap of moments during the Wicked press tour where the pair couldn’t hold back their tears.
Ariana Wipes Cynthia’s Tears
YouTube / The Emsolation Podcast
During a poignant press junket interview with podcast host Em Rusciano, emotional exchange followed when the journalist expressed how much Wicked resonated with her, culminating in a heartfelt declaration of, “You did it.” This sentiment proved overwhelming for Grande, while Erivo became choked up and unable to articulate her feelings, leading Grande to take the reins during the emotional moment.
“Everybody, stop now!” she gently urged, concerned about maintaining their polished appearance despite the genuine displays of emotion.
Ariana & Cynthia Are Left Speechless
YouTube / Jake’s Takes
In another enlightening interview with reporter Jake Hamilton, the duo was asked, “In what ways has the person next to you changed you for good?” This question was a touching nod to their duet “For Good,” featured in Wicked: Part Two, which left them momentarily speechless. After a few moments, Grande began to cry, while Erivo eloquently answered for both of them.
“I think we’ve been able to see in each other a little bit of a reflection,” she shared, highlighting the exchange of qualities between them where she gained some of Grande’s softness, and Grande received a measure of Erivo’s strength. With a wry smile, Grande added, “Truthfully, we’re a bunch of crybabies over here.”
Their New York Times Interview
During a reflective interview with the New York Times, reporter Kyle Buchanan noted how their emotional connection manifested, as simply meeting each other’s gaze often brought tears to their eyes. “Merely meeting the other’s gaze could make them both misty, and when they discussed wrapping the film, both women once again began to cry,” he remarked, capturing the deep bond they share.
Even Grande observed the emotional currents during the interview, humorously requesting, “Excuse me, may we have one million tissues please?” in recognition of their emotional state.
The “Tearful” Wrap Party
Don Arnold/WireImage/Getty Images
At the Los Angeles premiere on Nov. 9, Erivo reminisced about the Wicked wrap party, characterizing the occasion as “tearful,” largely due to the shared experiences with the cast and crew over an extended filming period. “We made family, we spent a year and then some with people, so to let them go was tough, and to let these characters go was tough,” she explained, emphasizing the depth of their connections.
Ariana & Cynthia’s Emotional Apology
In an interview with E!, both Erivo and Grande found themselves misty-eyed once again, leading to a moment of humor where they paused to acknowledge their emotional state. “We can’t, we’ve cried 500 times today,” Grande confessed before turning to the audience with an apologetic demeanor. “Honestly, this is a PSA,” she added, addressing the perceived annoyance others might feel. Grande continued, “If you’re just gonna comment saying how annoying it is, I’ll say it first. I’m annoyed, I’m tired,” humorously revealing they had shared a private cry “in the parking lot” and were eager to keep their composure moving forward.
“We’ve come through a massive, massive thing, and we’ve really stuck together,” Erivo affirmed, highlighting the strength of their friendship throughout this journey.
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**Interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande: Embracing Emotion in “Wicked”**
**Interviewer:** Cynthia, Ariana, thank you for joining us today! We’ve seen some incredibly emotional moments from you both on the press tour for *Wicked: Part One*. How has this journey impacted your friendship?
**Cynthia Erivo:** Thank you for having us! Honestly, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. The bond we’ve formed is so deep, and I think that shows in our performances. Every emotional moment we share off-screen translates to our characters, Elphaba and Glinda.
**Ariana Grande:** Absolutely! It’s like we’re sharing our hearts with each other, which makes the experience all the more special. I think we kind of both knew we’d end up crying at some point, right? (laughs)
**Interviewer:** Your tears have sparked a lot of conversation online—people are both celebrating and playfully teasing your emotional responses. What do you think about that?
**Cynthia Erivo:** (giggles) I love it! We’re human, and it’s actually refreshing to show vulnerability. It just goes to show that it’s okay to feel deeply, and we wanted to bring that authenticity to our performances.
**Ariana Grande:** Yes! Plus, if we can bring joy and a few laughs through our tears, even better! As I said, there’s a lot of happiness mixed in with the tears. It’s been a long journey—three years in the making!
**Interviewer:** There’s a moment in one interview where you both became really choked up. Can you tell us about what triggered that?
**Ariana Grande:** Well, I think it was the heartwarming words of the interviewer. It’s overwhelming to hear how much *Wicked* resonates with people. I looked at Cynthia, and it just hit me. We share so much love for this project and for each other, and sometimes it just pours out, you know?
**Cynthia Erivo:** Exactly! It’s breathtaking to reflect on how much this means to us and to the audience. When you share something so special, it naturally brings those feelings to the surface.
**Interviewer:** Your discussions about how you’ve changed each other personally through this experience have been very touching. Can you elaborate on that?
**Cynthia Erivo:** Oh, that was such a beautiful moment! I feel like I’ve gained a bit of Ariana’s softness, and I hope she’s found some of my strength. It’s like we uplift each other in ways we didn’t expect.
**Ariana Grande:** Totally! It’s a beautiful exchange of qualities, and it really shows in our performances. We’re definitely a couple of crybabies, but that’s okay! (laughs)
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead to *Wicked: Part Two*, what can fans expect from your continuing journey together?
**Ariana Grande:** More tears, for sure! (laughs) But really, more growth and more music. The bond we’ve built will only strengthen as we delve deeper into our characters.
**Cynthia Erivo:** And we hope to keep bringing that genuine emotion to our fans. Our friendship and this story deserve that authenticity. We can’t wait to share more with everyone!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Cynthia and Ariana! We look forward to seeing more of your journey in *Wicked: Part Two*.
**Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande:** Thank you!