The Unexpectedly Radical Emotionality of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo
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A wave of emotion is sweeping cinemas alongside the release of Wicked: Part Two, but the tears aren’t solely confined to the screen. The film’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, have captivated audiences not just with their performances, but with a remarkably public display of affection and vulnerability that has sparked both fascination and criticism.
A Tearjerker On and Off Screen
Early reviews suggest Wicked: Part Two – the continuation of the beloved musical – is a profoundly moving experience. “Heartbreakingly tender,” one critic from Deadline described the film, while Roger Ebert deemed it “a legitimate tearjerker.” Reports from screenings indicate the emotional impact extends to the audience, with one Hollywood Reporter account detailing a wave of sobs spreading through a cinema during the final act.
But the emotional current isn’t limited to the narrative. Grande and Erivo have become known for their own overt displays of emotion, frequently captured during the film’s press tour. Both actresses received Oscar nominations for previous roles, but their recent public appearances have been defined as much by tears and tender gestures as by promotional interviews.
The Backlash and the “Carry-On”
This level of openness hasn’t been universally embraced. Some observers have found the displays excessive, drawing comparisons to similar moments from last year’s promotional events. “In a repeat of last year’s memorable antics…the recent press tour for the sequel has been equally ridiculous — with yet more weeping,” lamented a writer for the Daily Mail on Thursday. The publication referenced a viral clip of Grande interrupting an interview to scold a nearby helicopter for disturbing a visibly upset Erivo, shouting, “Not the time, helicopter!”
The criticism extended to Australian television, where Rita Panahi of Sky News Australia dismissed the displays as “too much” during a segment titled “Lefties Losing It.” Further incidents, including Erivo’s protective intervention when a fan approached Grande on the red carpet in Singapore, and a moment where Erivo kissed Grande’s arm after a panel discussion, have continued to fuel the conversation. A particularly memorable moment from last year’s press tour involved Grande comforting Erivo by holding her index finger, a visual amplified by Erivo’s striking three-inch green nail polish.
Beyond the Optics: A Celebration of “Womance”
Despite the scrutiny, or perhaps because of it, the connection between Grande and Erivo has resonated with many. The author finds herself captivated by what she terms their “womance” – a relationship characterized by raw emotion and unwavering devotion. While acknowledging the parodies and the intensity of the displays, she argues that their openness is a refreshing departure from societal expectations.
The normalization of passionate emotion is a key aspect of this appeal. In a culture often prioritizing efficiency and productivity, vulnerability can be perceived as a weakness, particularly in professional settings. The author welcomes a shift towards a world where expressing feelings is not only accepted but encouraged.
The Power of Friendship
Beyond emotional expression, the relationship between Grande and Erivo celebrates the profound value of close friendship. Drawing on C.S. Lewis’s The Four Loves, the author highlights the often-underestimated importance of friendship – a connection that, unlike other forms of love, is not driven by necessity but by choice. “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art, like the universe itself,” Lewis wrote. “It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”
Grande herself has spoken to the transformative power of their bond, stating in a joint interview last year, “Just by being around her, I have become more of an ally to myself when I used to do a lot of self-abandoning, and I really do credit that to our friendship.” (before, of course, starting to weep).
Long live the Wicked witches and their weird and wonderful womance.
