Topics: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Celebrity
As Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande return to the silver screen to delight audiences with the second instalment of Wicked, Erivo has opened up about the special bond the film forged between the two stars.
In her new book, Simply More: A Book For Anyone That Has Been Told They’re Too Much, the British actor revealed she had made a 'pact' with Grande before filming even began, in a moment that would soon cement their bond both on and off 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.”
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As part of the filmmaking process, director Jon M. Chu hosted a dinner for the key creatives who would be responsible for translating the hit Broadway musical to the big screen.
This occasion marked the first time Erivo and Grande had met in person and was a nerve-wracking experience for both as they were suddenly asked to sing ‘For Good’ together.
“It was astonishing,” gushed Erivo. “Our two very distinct voices somehow found each other and became one.”
She continued: “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.”
It was this sudden moment of clarity that prompted Erivo to make a 'pact' with Grande, in what she dubbed an 'important’ part' of their partnership.
“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 was also to be universal, both for the 'good moments' and 'for those that were a little more complicated, a little tough'.
Erivo added: “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 then 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 has remained true to her word throughout the jam-packed publicity tour for Wicked, even physically throwing herself into harm’s way to protect Grande from a wild fan.
The pair have also formed a very tactile friendship, with both stars physically 'checking in' with subtle touches and hand squeezes in moments that could prove to be particularly nerve-wracking.
Opening up about it on Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Grande explained that she wanted 'to be safe in each other', with their emotional and physical closeness aiming to keep them 'as connected as much as possible, every step of the way'.
