In a candid and playful interview with the American media outlet GAY TIMES, actors Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo gave fans of the blockbuster musical adaptation Wicked a vivid reminder of how much the film —and its characters— resonate with queer audiences worldwide.
The pair, who respectively portray Glinda and Elphaba in the film, responded to questions about queer fandom with equal parts humour and sincerity. When the interviewer referenced the fan-favourite ship known as “Gelphie” (Glinda + Elphaba), Erivo said: “I think Elphie is… She’s goes wherever the wind goes. I think she loves Glinda, I think she loves love. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection the both of them have.” Grande chimed in: “And trust and truth and such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be, whether it’s romantic or platonic.”
Grande even suggested a playful possibility for Glinda’s character: “Glinda might be a little in the closet … but if there were a time, you never know. Give it a little more time.”
@gaytimes Dr. Dillamond? GAY ICON! Those chickens? GAY! The tamarin monkey? Steve Brady...?! With only one month to go until the release of Wicked: For Good, we're taking a look back at our Wicked: Part 1 interview with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo – and newsflash, everyone in Oz is a Friend of Dorothy 🌈 #arianagrande #cynthiaerivo #glinda #elphaba #wicked ♬ original sound - GAY TIMES
The film, directed by Jon M. Chu, premiered globally on 22 November 2024 and has since become a cultural phenomenon, merging high-end production values with the emotional depth of the original Broadway musical and the novel that inspired it. The film captures the unlikely friendship—and rising influence—of Elphaba and Glinda in the land of Oz, re-framing their story through a modern lens.
With a world release date for the sequel set for November 21 of this year, Oz fanatics are on the edge of their seats, dissecting interviews such as this one, patiently waiting to see Wicked: For Good on the big screen.
Since its release, the Wicked adaptation has been embraced by queer fans for the way Elphaba’s outsider status and Glinda’s journey of self-discovery implicitly reflect themes of identity, belonging and connection. The GAY TIMES interview draws this out explicitly, acknowledging how the fandom has long imagined Elphaba and Glinda as more than just friends.
Wicked, Parts 1 & 2, come at a moment when representation and visibility in mainstream cinema are under increased focus. It is not simply a spectacle; it is also a text that queer audiences have long read as theirs, even before this adaptation brought it to the big screen. The interview helps cement the notion that the filmmakers and cast are aware of, and appreciative of, the fans who see themselves in the story.
As the film proceeds towards its second instalment, the suggestion that Glinda might be “a little in the closet” opens up potential for even more overt representation. Whether the narrative moves in that direction remains to be seen, but for now the interview gives queer fans a moment of recognition and celebration.
For Irish readers, this means Wicked isn’t just another Hollywood musical—it’s a moment of cultural resonance. When Grande and Erivo say “those chickens are gay” (in their humour-infused way), it’s more than a punch-line: it’s a wink, a nod, and a genuine salute to the community that has made the story its own.
