Cynthia Erivo Opens Up About Her ‘Instinct’ to Protect Ariana Grande From an Overzealous Fan

As part of a special Wicked Week celebration ahead of the release of “Wicked: For Good,” Cynthia Erivo—Tony and Grammy winner and the film’s Elphaba—joined the TODAY show to discuss the movie, her new memoir, and a recent viral moment involving her co-star Ariana Grande.

The show opened with an exclusive sneak peek of “No Place Like Home,” one of the most anticipated new songs from the film. Erivo shared that taking on a line so iconic within pop culture felt like a major responsibility:

“When I knew the song’s title and the words I was going to sing, I thought, we have to make this count. It needed to be just as powerful.”

Erivo, who recently lost her voice and had to go on vocal rest during the film’s premiere, assured viewers she’s recovering:

“It’s still finding its way back. I had nothing that night—it was gone.”

A Deep Bond With Ariana Grande

Erivo and Ariana Grande, who play the central duo Elphaba and Glinda, developed a close friendship throughout production. Erivo described their relationship as “sisters at this moment” and said they continually supported one another during the intense filming process.

That bond became clear in a viral clip from a Singapore event, where an overly enthusiastic fan got too close to Grande. Without hesitation, Erivo stepped in between them.

“I wanted to make sure my friend was safe. That was pure instinct.”

A Chemistry That Happened Instantly

Director Jon M. Chu had previously shared that the two actresses were cast before they ever did a chemistry test—something Erivo confirmed. Despite the unusual approach, the connection between them was immediate:

“We all just clicked instantly. That’s a testament to Jon Chu—he casts from the heart.”

Her Memoir, “Simply More”

Erivo also discussed her new book, Simply More, which she describes less as a traditional memoir and more as a handbook meant to inspire others:

“My life has not been roses. I’m not perfect—I’ve made mistakes, and those mistakes taught me. I wanted people who feel different to feel accepted, to know their differences make them special.”

She spoke emotionally about her mother, who supported her dreams from childhood:

“She’s never surprised by anything I accomplish. She’s always believed it was possible.”

Opening the Thanksgiving Day Parade

Last year, Erivo appeared at the Thanksgiving Day Parade as a guest. This year, she’ll be opening the entire event—a milestone she’s thrilled about:

“A year ago we were talking about Wicked. Now I’m opening the parade. It’s insane, and I’m so excited.”

Has She Retired the Color Green?

Although fans associate Elphaba strongly with the color green, Erivo said she hasn’t completely retired the shade—but she hasn’t worn it much this press tour to represent her character’s evolution.

“Green is still one of my favorite colors. It just didn’t feel right this time around.”