We know that Wicked is for the gays — but could it also be about the gays? According to a new interview with the movie’s stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, that interpretation is definitely on the table.
While speaking to Gay Times, Grande and Erivo addressed the fans who see their characters, Glinda and Elphaba, as a romantic couple. Both agreed that the two definitely have relationship potential.
“Whether it’s romantic or platonic — you know, maybe, Glinda might be a little in the closet,” Grande said. “But if there were time, you know, you never know!” she said, throwing in a limp wrist for good measure.
“Give it a little more time. But no, 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,” Grande concluded.
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Where Grande could see Glinda as closeted, Erivo sees Elphaba as sexually fluid.
“I think Elphie is — she goes wherever the wind goes. I think she loves Glinda, and I think she loves love,” Erivo said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have. Like, they do have a real relationship. It is true love. Which is probably why people are shipping it, you know? Because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond and love.”
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“A crown and Miss Ari’s approval. Life made!” drag superstar Tia Kofi wrote on social media.
The two also talked about how Wicked is a queer allegory, even if queerness doesn’t make its way into the literal narrative.
“I mean, Oz is just a celebration of uniqueness, and everyone is so beautiful in Oz,” Grande said. “I don’t think it even is a conscious discussion or decision. Yeah, everyone is just so beautifully queer, and that roots all the way back to the L. Frank Baum books, where literally the most commonly used word in the books is ‘queer.’”
Wicked hits theaters this Friday, November 22. Check out the trailer below.
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