What are your thoughts on Cynthia Erico’s and Ariana Grande’s behaviour?

[Graceey]

Obviously this is just light hearted gossip. They’re doing no harm.

But I absolutely fascinated by Ariana’s and Cynthia’s odd behaviour during the press tour for Wicked. They seem extremely close with one another. But I hate to say it comes across very contrived.

Ariana looks and acts like a fragile doll these days. In stark contrast to her previous pop star persona. And Cynthia has seemingly decided to play the role of her protector. It’s all very strange.

They have both lost a lot of weight. But what on Earth has happened to these two during filming?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nyfz2Uz9oI0&pp=ygUSY3ludGhpYSBhbmQgYXJpYW5h

This thread won’t be for everyone. But some of like to discuss the psychological aspects of behaviour. It’s obviously pure speculation

Exactly this. She is not well at all.

Cynthia looked ok on Strictly, so I assume she is ok physically at least. Arianne looks very unwell physically and mentally, at least in the videos they are releasing (we could all be being placed, of course).

I really hope someone has her best interests at heart because she has every reason to be extremely vulnerable. I think she’s in a really dangerous place and hope she recovers.

And I hope Cynthia’s behaviour is indeed protective and helpful, as she appears to need, rather than encouraging the problem.

What’s meant by ship/shipping? Help an oldie out, please? I’m lost!

If Ariana is able to stand up for herself why do you think then that she can’t stand up for herself with Cynthia?

What’s offensive here is the prejudice to Cynthia.

I ship these two = I like the idea of them as a couple.

I think her white skin is so shocking because she was tanning so much before, to the point of people calling it problematic.

Her face looks a lot closer to what it was like when she was young - before the deep tan and winged liner she was never seen without.

Otherwise though, she looks really frail in the way she moves and carries herself, compared to before. And Cynthia treats her like she’s going to break.

The arm shaking clip is so strange. She seems fine and then quickly switches to not fine. Very odd.

Their behaviour is bizarre, creepy and embarrassing. They are supposed to be grown adults. It's weird AF and I've not been able to bring myself to see the films since the first press tour, even though I intended to beforehand. It is beyond cringe.

Imagining them/wanting them to be in a relationship.

I think it’s also a case of two theatre kids trying very hard to be liked and praised.

Is he touchy feely? I’ve not seen that. I’ve also always thought he was gay even if not publicly. So not sure he would be doing it in a creepy way???

There is something very odd going on between them and someone needs to get Arianna some serious help she is severely underweight she needs help more than she needs to be dragged around doing press tours. She was already very thin but now she just resembles a skellington with a bit of skin over the top she doesn’t scream healthy role model for young impressionable kids.

Yeah if you look at pictures of her when she was young (like a younger teen) she’s quite pale.

And she was criticised by some for the extent of the fake tan, and now has the pale skin commented on as evidence of an illness.

It might not be competitive anorexia. They might just have had a tough filming schedule and not eaten properly. All of them.

Are the men skinny too? I haven't seen them.

He was borderline ‘groomy’ with Bella. Very much big brother, best friend, which is nice, but also inappropriate. He’s a big star, she’s almost unknown. She came out as NB, and he’s very ‘protect the dolls’. I’m hoping she stays NB rather than doing the body mod route.

I loved the program, but was concerned about his intensity with her, in some stuff I watched.

I don't think Cynthia gives much of a toss about being liked, although I'm sure she would like her (amazing) talent to be recognised.

I think they're both a bit bonkers (occupational hazard), they've possibly internalised their roles a bit, they are genuinely compatible and highly bonded after this long lasting and intense experience, and I believe Ariana has PTSD after that terrible attack at one of her concerts (God knows how she wouldn't) and Cynthia is naturally protective as a result. Cynthia is also bi, so it might be that her love for Ariana has an extra frisson.

I don’t really know anything about him and Bella, but he has a transgender sibling. So whatever any other opinions people might have on trans etc, that will probably influence how he might feel protective of a younger costar coming out as non-binary.

I don’t believe he is gay. He grabs on to co starts during interviews when he’s anxious. Normally the women mind you.

https://www.threads.com/@itsjmaine/post/DKL4NRaxn3B?hl=en-gb

I find it concerning. AG had a lot of heartache in her life, obviously linked to Manchester and the death of her ex-partner. She's been in the spotlight from a very young age and we all know the damage this causes, so many examples of that over the years. Unfortunately, I think this is the case of her being a vulnerable target and CE taking on role that wasn't needed and not helping the situation. It's clearly an unhealthy, domineering dynamic that also involves competitive anorexia.

😂😂 I think she’s done. People are so naive, it just hypes up more attention for the film as so many people discuss it.

And even if she does need medical help, maybe she’s getting that. She probably just weirdly doesn’t share her medical history with you personally.

I think that social media has completely changed the way films are promoted.
Incidentally, there are also plenty of videos of Johnathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum fawning over each other on this press tour that I find just as contrived and weird as the footage of AG and CE, but this weirdness really isn't unique to the Wicked films either.

I've recently seen clips of Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal gushing about one another in equally cringe worthy fashion whilst promoting Hamnet. Ditto Joe Locke and Kit Connor, Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza, Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch...the list goes on and on.

Someone whose job it is to analyse social media marketing trends or some such has obviously decided that films and TV shows do better if people are convinced there is a strong real-life connection between the leads. Unfortunately, attempts to convince the audience of this have now gone way, way over the top hence the weirdness we are currently seeing. I feel a bit sorry for the actors who have a requirement to do this nonsense in their contracts.

There are definitely interesting discussions in other forums. Not everyone is happy to see this dynamic. As some think it drives stereotypes like the “strong black woman”. And perpetuates the “masculinisation of black women”.

Im not saying it’s the case but it is interesting to discuss and think about. Maybe not on mumsnet 😂

It’s not prejudice.

Its Cynthia’s actions that are making people not like her.

Everyone loved her in the beginning but Joe it’s way too much.

She is trying to steal the limelight.

And their mangers have probably said it’s good for publicity.

I came on here to type the exact same 6 words that your post started with.

Alternatively, his co star is young, inexperienced and has ASD, typically gender non conforming which worked well for her role. I think there’s a chicken/egg question, personally.
I believe she got some flack in regressive quarters for her ‘failure to be conventionally attractive’. She could have done with being affirmed as an excellent character actor, rather than NB. I hope that doesn’t lead her to more serious rejection of who she is.

She protects her privacy, which is good.

Surely they are not much different from the many celebrities over the years who have become weirder and weirder as they get carried away with all the attention they get, constantly surrounded by fans and lackeys telling them how wonderful they are and pandering to their every whim?