The road to the big screen adaptation of Wicked has been long and, at times, dramatic. But the latest tea spilling from the Emerald City has fans absolutely reeling.
Pop icon Ariana Grande made headlines this week by conspicuously skipping the 2026 Grammy Awards. While sources have previously cited a packed schedule as the reason for her repeated absences from the ceremony, internet sleuths are convinced there’s a much messier reason behind her no-show this time around.
The rumor mill is in overdrive, and all roads lead to Grande’s Wicked co-star, Cynthia Erivo, and her newly released memoir.
The Memoir That Ignited the Rumors
Erivo’s tell-all book has been making waves for its candid look at her life and career. However, what’s not in the book is what has fans on social media grabbing their pitchforks. Allegations have gone viral across TikTok and X (formerly Twitter) claiming that Erivo completely erased Ariana Grande from the narrative of their time working together on the massive two-part film.
According to these rumors, Erivo’s memoir details her experience filming Wicked, the challenges of taking on the iconic role of Elphaba, and the journey of bringing the beloved musical to the silver screen. Yet, the name “Ariana Grande,” who plays the equally iconic Glinda, is reportedly nowhere to be found in these sections.
Fans React to the Alleged Snub
The internet’s reaction has been swift and fierce. Arianators and Wicked fans alike are expressing their shock and disappointment at what they perceive as a major snub.
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“How can you write a whole book about filming Wicked and not mention your literal co-lead? That’s some serious shade,” one user posted on X, garnering thousands of likes.
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TikTok is flooded with videos of fans dissecting the alleged omission, with many speculating about a secret falling out between the two stars.
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Some users are pointing to past interviews where the two seemed to have a close bond, making the alleged erasure even more confusing. “Remember their joint interviews? They seemed so close! What happened?,” questioned a fan on TikTok.
The Grammys Connection
This is where the Grammys come into play. Fans are connecting the dots, theorizing that Grande’s decision to skip music’s biggest night was a direct response to Erivo’s book.
Erivo, a Grammy and Tony award winner herself, was a prominent figure at this year’s ceremony. Fans believe Grande wanted to avoid any potentially awkward run-ins or public displays of tension.
“Ariana skipping the Grammys makes so much more sense now. She probably didn’t want to be in the same room after that book drama,” speculated a fan on social media.
A History of Rumors
This isn’t the first time the relationship between Erivo and Grande has been the subject of public speculation. Throughout the lengthy Wicked press tour, their interactions were microscopically analyzed by fans and media alike.
Just recently, Erivo addressed what she called a “strange fascination” with the nature of their relationship. In an interview, she pushed back against rumors that they were either secretly lovers or that their friendship was all for show.
“There was this strange fascination with the two of us, where people either thought we were putting it on for the cameras or that we were lovers,” Erivo stated, emphasizing that their bond was a deep, platonic female friendship.
What’s the Truth?
As of now, neither Ariana Grande nor Cynthia Erivo has publicly commented on the memoir rumors. It’s possible that the internet is making a mountain out of a molehill, and there’s a perfectly innocent explanation for Grande’s absence from the book and the Grammys.
However, in the world of celebrity feuds, where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. And right now, the smoke coming from this Wicked situation is thick enough to obscure the yellow brick road.
Until one of them speaks out, fans will continue to speculate, dissect, and eagerly await the next chapter in this unfolding drama. One thing is for sure: the promotional tour for Wicked: Part Two just got a whole lot more interesting.
