Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s chemistry quickly became a highlight of the Wicked press tour, from holding fingers to gentle hand squeezes that blew up into viral memes. Now, Grande is opening up about why they’re always physically checking in with each other. She says these little touches are how the duo got through one of the toughest and most intense projects of their careers.
Ariana Grande reveals why she and Cynthia Erivo touch each other
Ariana Grande opened up on the Good Hang podcast with Amy Poehler about why she and Cynthia Erivo are always physically checking in with each other. She explained that their hand-holding and gentle touches started during the intense shoot of Wicked, when they made a pact to have each other’s backs.
“I wanted to be safe in each other,” “There’s nothing we can’t talk about… You don’t have to face something alone.”
Grande laughed when Poehler pointed out how often they touch in interviews and on red carpets, noting it’s “in a loving way.” She admitted it’s just part of her nature. “I channel a lot of energy through my hands,” she said, explaining that she’s always reaching out, often without even realizing it.
Their viral “finger-holding moment” perfectly shows their bond. During an interview about the emotional power of “Defying Gravity,” Erivo got visibly emotional. Grande, not exactly sure what to say or do, instinctively grabbed her finger in a comforting gesture that instantly blew up online as memes.
Looking back, she said she just felt Erivo was going to cry, so she offered the only comfort she could think of in that moment.
I was like, ‘Cause she looks like she’s about to cry again. And I’m gonna grab this ’cause I think you might need something.” “And I don’t know what the tapping was about, but that happened.”
The duo has kept up the habit ever since, often holding hands at premieres, including a moment in Singapore, when Erivo shielded Grande after a fan unexpectedly rushed her.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
