Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo attend a special New York City ‘Wicked’ screening Dec. 3, 2024.Photo:Santiago Felipe/Getty
Santiago Felipe/Getty
Cynthia Erivo’s gotAriana Grande’s back for good.
The British actress, 37, who stars alongside Grande, 31, in the blockbuster musical hitWickedas “wicked witch” Elphaba to Grande’s Glinda, is speaking out in defense of the pop star amid criticisms surrounding her appearance.
“Cyber bullying is quite dangerous,” Erivo told an audience at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 6 (perThe Hollywood Reporter) when asked aboutrecent online criticismsdirected at her costar. “It’s easy to be behind a computer and type words about a person you don’t know.”
The Broadway star urged fans to “be the counterpoint” to online trolls.
“Be the person who tells the positive,” she added. “What a person who has never met you thinks is never more important than what you think of yourself.”
Cynthia Erivo attends the Red Sea International Film Festival on Dec. 5.Arnold Jerocki/Getty
Arnold Jerocki/Getty
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“I’ve been doing this in front of the public and been a specimen in a Petri dish really since I was 16 or 17. I have heard it all,” the visibly emotional performer said. “I’ve heard every version of it. You’re young and you’re hearing all kinds of things.”
Ariana Grande as Glinda in ‘Wicked’.Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
“I’m really lucky to have the support system that I have and to just know and trust that I’m beautiful,” she said. “But I do know what the pressure of that noise feels like. It’s been a resident in my life since I was 17. I just don’t invite it in anymore. I have work to do, I have a life to live, I have friends to love on. I have so much love. It’s not invited, so I don’t leave space for it anymore.”
She also encouraged others to protect their peace. “You keep yourself safe because no one has the right to say s—,” she said.
source: people.com
