Ariana Grande Kept Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba Ears
Ariana Grande’s role as Glinda was a dream come true. She is the star of the Broadway adaptation, Wicked. The internet has been a great place to see the friendship between Erivo and Grande. They have talked about matching tattoos that say “for good”. Also, they both wear poppy and “for goodness” tattoos to show their love. In a recent interview, Grande confirmed that she does indeed have Erivo’s prosthetic ear from the shoot. The props are currently next to the printer with pens, printers and Cynthia’s ears. (The props were used to cover Erivo’s real ears. “But sometimes if I’m having guests over, if I put out a tray of whatever, I’ll just kind of leave them nearby to see if anyone gets a little confused.”
Grande quickly interjected, “I’m just kidding, I’ve never done that, but I will. They’re currently next to the printer. It’s strange to frame them.” Friends honor each other in so many unique ways and the way the duo gush over each other is a tribute to their love of their Wicked characters.
The interview with Grande goes on to discuss one of her favorite moments during the shoot: when Erivo winked at Grande during the film’s pivotal “Defying Gravity” performance to help anchor the actress in Glinda’s strength. The powerful gesture almost broke Grande’s character but she kept her cool. “It’s an emotional moment,” Grande described the powerful affirmation. Director Jon M. Chu included it in the final edit. In that moment I believe we were both in tears. Grande stated that the wink she gave was very generous because “she knows how difficult it is for Glinda, to be emotional and open up.” “That’s the reason I’m so trying to not do it, and I am crying through–I am smiling through–and I try not–I’m holding back. She’s just like ‘I have you, it’s all right.'” “I think that is what is so beautiful about Defying Gravity is that it is the true example unconditional love. It’s saying, “I realize that we cannot grow together.” I don’t want to grow apart from you, but I do know that it is the best thing for you. We’ve got this.’ And the wink is such a–it’s such a loud way of saying that.”
Watch the rest of the interview below:
Wicked is out now in theaters and on digital. Wicked: For Good opens this Thanksgiving.
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