As Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande captivate audiences in the second installment of Wicked, Erivo has shared insights into the unique bond that developed between them during the film’s creation.
In her latest book, Simply More: A Book For Anyone That Has Been Told They’re Too Much, the British actress disclosed a pact she made with Grande before filming commenced, a moment that strengthened their relationship both on and off the set.
“Before Wicked really started rolling, Ariana and I made a pact with each other,” writes Erivo.
“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 responsible for adapting the hit Broadway musical for the big screen.
This event was the first time Erivo and Grande met in person and was a nerve-wracking experience as they were asked to sing ‘For Good’ together for the first time.
“It was astonishing,” gushed Erivo. “Our two very distinct voices somehow found each other and became one.”
She continues, “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 profound realization prompted Erivo to make a pact with Grande, describing it as an ‘important’ aspect 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.”
Their support was mutual, extending to both “good moments” and the “more complicated, tougher” times.
“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.”
Erivo demonstrated her commitment to this bond throughout the busy publicity tour for Wicked, even stepping in to protect Grande from an overzealous fan.
The duo has developed a close friendship, with both stars using subtle physical gestures like touches and hand squeezes to support each other during tense moments.
Speaking on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Ariana Grande shared her perspective, emphasizing their need “to be safe in each other,” aiming for emotional and physical closeness to stay “as connected as much as possible, every step of the way.”