Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have given fans a pretty convincing answer to those rumours that their friendship had fizzled out. During Grande's Eternal Sunshine Tour show in London, Erivo suddenly appeared on stage, and the pair reunited for an emotional performance of For Good from their movie, Wicked: For Good.
The surprise came during Grande's second show at London's O2 Arena on Sunday, 16 August. And naturally, fans were quick to point out the irony. After online theories about a supposed rift, Grande and Erivo stood together and sang about how people can change each other 'for good'.
Cynthia Erivo Joins Ariana Grande on Stage
Grande brought her Wicked co-star out during the encore, setting up a reunion that had fans screaming before they had even started singing.
The pair launched into For Good, the signature duet between Glinda and Elphaba. In the film adaptation, Grande plays Glinda while Erivo takes on Elphaba, making the song an especially fitting choice for their first live collaboration in months. They then switched gears for the upbeat 'Get Happy / Happy Days Are Here Again' medley.
The reunion did not feel particularly awkward, either. Grande and Erivo embraced on stage, with both stars also seen kissing each other's hands during the performance.
Full performance of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo singing “For Good” pic.twitter.com/9UZnyz7ZSL
— Wicked Updates 🧹 (@wicked_updates) August 16, 2026
Did Their 'Wicked' Friendship Really Fall Apart?
The speculation about their feud did not appear out of nowhere. After the intense Wicked promotional campaign ended, Grande and Erivo naturally stopped being seen together as often, prompting some corners of the internet to wonder whether they were still close.
The theories ranged from claims that they barely spoke to more cynical suggestions that their friendship had been staged for publicity.
In May, Erivo addressed the 'fake friendship' claims.
'I think that people didn't really believe that we were actually friends,' the actress told Variety at the time. She added: 'But that's also because people don't know me very well. If I'm a friend, then I'm a friend. If I'm not, then I'm not.'
That makes the latest reunion particularly amusing in hindsight. Instead of responding to every theory individually, the pair simply turned up together and sang one of the most recognisable friendship songs in Wicked.
this means everything to me pic.twitter.com/h85tjxVG3G
— ً (@gwssrose) August 16, 2026
The Internet Celebrates Their Reunion
Once videos of the performance began circulating, fans wasted no time revisiting the rumours. One online user joked: 'But TikTok told me they're not friends anymore because Ariana was draining Cynthia?'
Others mocked the critics, with one fan writing: 'And the clowns were out here really saying some s*** like they weren't "friends anymore".'
Another wrote: 'I just know some hater who thought they drove them apart forever is fuming in their parent's basement.'
The enthusiasm was not just about proving a rumour wrong. Fans also loved seeing the duo together again.
One said their 'energy syncs so perfectly,' adding: 'Why didn't they just go on WICKED tour, it would have been so gooddddd.'
Another summed up the mood dramatically: 'The Wicked girls just healed the entire timeline in one performance.'
Ariana Grande bringing Cynthia Erivo out for “For Good” in London… this is the Wicked reunion we needed. 😭💚✨
— Trend_Buzz (@TrendBuzz__) August 16, 2026
Inside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's 'Wicked' Bond
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's friendship developed while they were filming the two-part Wicked adaptation. They were cast as Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, and first began working together when production started in late 2022.
the way shes laughing in that pic you can tell its not for the cameras. that handprint on my heart line is gonna live in my head forever honestly
— Chlooe🙈 (@chlokikizzyx) August 17, 2026
Their friendship became particularly visible during the films' promotional campaigns. Throughout that period, Grande and Erivo frequently spoke warmly about each other in interviews and were photographed holding hands and sharing affectionate moments at public appearances.
