Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Say They Made “A Clear Choice” to Befriend Each Other When They Were Cast Bad – something not all stars do on film sets. Judging by their great on-screen chemistry, the choice paid off in more ways than one.
Grande tells Yahoo Entertainment that she was fascinated by Erivo when she saw the film two years before they met Harriet star sings “Stand Up” at the 2020 Oscars.
“I remember turning to my mother and saying, ‘That’s the best woman’s voice I’ve ever heard in my life. What’s happening? I have to meet her, tell her that and sing with her one day.’ .’ And now we’re here and we’ve taken such good care of each other,” says the 31-year-old Grammy winner. “Since the moment we met in a very real way, in a no-BS way, honest and very communicative and kind and loving friendship.”
Erivo, who plays Elphaba to Grande’s Glinda, agrees.
“What I like about what we did is that there was a clear choice from the beginning to do that and take care of each other, to be honest,” she says. “By always making space for each other, I think we have really grown as artists and also in our personal lives. I think it is very special to do that.”
Erivo, 37, says it was “weird” because she and Grande kept “circling each other” before being cast in the film but never actually met. “We’ve been singing these characters’ songs, but in opposite directions,” she explains, “and so far it’s been kind of the same for us.”
Erivo was a fan of the musical play before she was cast in the film and says she “definitely” has a connection with Elphaba.
“I understand what it feels like to be very different, but you know, that lightness [of Glinda] that’s something that’s definitely part of who I am too,” she says. “I don’t have to show it all the time, but it’s there, you know? That’s the nature of it. Were [containing] crowds.”
That lightness is something the Bad cast and crew seen in Erivo and Grande.
Marissa Bode, who plays Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, says Grande went out of her way “from the jump” to be “incredibly welcoming.”
“I hadn’t met Ari yet and on the first day she had a bouquet of flowers in my green room and a card that said ‘Welcome,’ which was really sweet,” the actress said.
“I think they both had such a generosity of spirit and from the moment we all got on set together, they set the tone and led by example,” Ethan Slater – who also happens to be Grande’s boyfriend – tells Yahoo.
“They let their talent speak for themselves and then they could just be really nice to everyone,” continued Slater, who plays Boq, a Munchkinlander in love with Glinda. “And the whole set – the crew, the cast, everyone who was with us in Oz – loved them both so much and I think it created a really amazing warm atmosphere.”
Bad is only in theaters on Friday, November 22.
