Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, stars of forthcoming film Wicked, have said that they think Elphaba and Glinda are queer in a new interview with Gay Times, ahead of the film’s release.
Throughout Wicked‘s history on the stage, people have debated whether Elphaba and Glinda’s relationship is platonic or romantic. The two characters turn from enemies to best friends, and the musical revolves around their chemistry. Neither Elphaba nor Glinda is explicitly queer in the text the musical is based on but some fans think they’re queer-coded.
In the interview, Grande revealed that she thinks there might be some truth to the “Gelphie” fandom — a community of Wicked die-hards who believe that leading characters Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Grande) may have been more than just friends.
“Whether it’s romantic or platonic, or you know … maybe Glinda might be a little in the closet,” Grande said. “But if there were a time? Y’know, you never know! Give it a little time! I mean, it is just a true love. And I think that transcends sexuality, it’s just kind of a deep safety within each other. And that’s why they probably ship it.”
Erivo — who identifies as queer — concurred with Grande’s opinion, adding that her interpretation of Elphaba certainly experiences some sense of sexual fluidity. “I think Elphie … she goes wherever the wind goes,” she said. “I think she loves Glinda, I think she loves love. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have … it’s a relationship, it is true love.”