If you’ve been anywhere near TikTok or X over the past few weeks, you already know what people are whispering:

“Is something… intense going on between Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo?”

Clips are spreading faster than flying monkeys, painting their friendship as a little too enchanted—so much so that many fans are convinced there’s some deeper, almost mystical dynamic at play.

But how much truth is hiding behind the edits and memes?

Let’s break down what the internet is buzzing about.

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A Friendship That Became a Phenomenon

During the early press tour for Wicked: Part One, the duo’s bond was already impossible to miss. Interviews showed them constantly reaching for each other—hands intertwined, checking on one another, sharing those “are you okay?” glances every ten seconds.

Cute? Absolutely.

Intense? Also yes.

But when promotion for Part Two kicked off, everything ramped up a notch—at least in the eyes of fans watching closely.

Premiere Drama and Protective Moments

At the New York premiere, Ariana skipped interviews entirely to stand in solidarity with Cynthia, who had temporarily lost her voice. Fans saw this as a touching show of loyalty… but it also ignited speculation about just how intertwined these two really are.

Then came the Singapore incident:

A known over-excited fan hopped the barricade trying to get near Ariana. Before anything happened, Cynthia moved instantly—some say “pounced”—to shield her co-star.

A sweet act of protection? Definitely.

But online, people pointed out that these intense reactions seem to happen a lot.

Whether it’s fixing Ariana’s necklace when it’s already perfectly straight or anxiously grabbing her arm even during harmless moments, Cynthia often appears hyper-protective—as if Ariana might shatter at any second.

The Looks, the Body Language, the Constant Check-Ins

Body language experts on TikTok (self-proclaimed, of course) have had a field day with this.

The shared glances.

The way they gravitate toward each other in crowds.

The way neither seems fully relaxed unless they know where the other is.

To many viewers, the dynamic reads like emotional co-dependence—or at least, that’s the popular theory floating around fan spaces.

And Then… the Elephant in the Room

Another major topic dominating online conversations: their appearance.

Fans have commented widely on both actresses looking slimmer than usual, especially Ariana. It’s sparked countless theories—some wildly speculative—claiming that this physical change is somehow connected to their intense bond.

None of these claims are confirmed, of course, and they’re best taken as what they are: internet speculation, not fact. But the chatter itself is enough to remind some fans of old Hollywood stories—like Judy Garland’s grueling experience during The Wizard of Oz, which has fueled the “Oz curse” myth for decades.

So… Is There Really a Curse?

When you strip away the memes, edits, and breathless commentary, the more realistic explanation might be simpler than the drama suggests:

Two powerhouse performers, working on the biggest project of their careers, formed a deep, emotional, and maybe slightly overwhelming bond in the process.

Intense? Yes.

Unhealthy? Not necessarily.

Cursed? Only if you believe in that kind of Hollywood magic.

For now, their friendship remains one of the most fascinating—and talked-about—dynamics in pop culture. And the internet? Well, it will keep spinning its theories faster than Glinda’s bubble.