The internet is a loud, crowded room where everyone thinks they’re a doctor. Recently, that room has been fixated on two people: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. If you've spent any time on TikTok or Twitter lately, you’ve seen the side-by-side photos. You've seen the "concerning" zoom-ins from the Wicked press tour. People are talking—a lot—about how thin they look.
But here’s the thing. Most of the chatter misses the actual reality of what these two women have been through over the last few years. It’s easy to look at a red carpet photo and speculate about Ozempic or "health crises," but when you actually listen to what Grande and Erivo have said, the story changes.
The "Healthy" Version vs. Reality
Ariana Grande actually broke her silence on this long before the Wicked press tour reached its peak. In a vulnerable TikTok that felt more like a FaceTime call with a friend, she addressed the "ariana grande cynthia erivo skinny" search trend head-on. She dropped a truth bomb that most people didn't see coming: the body fans were using as the "healthy" benchmark was actually her most miserable state.
"The body that you've been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body," she explained. During that era—the one where people thought she looked "perfect"—she was actually on a heavy dose of antidepressants, drinking frequently, and eating poorly. She was at her lowest mental point, but because her face looked a certain way, the world labeled it as the gold standard of health.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a reality check. We often equate "fullness" with "wellness" and "slenderness" with "sickness" without knowing a single thing about someone's internal chemistry. For Grande, 2024 and 2025 have been about moving away from that dark period.
Cynthia Erivo’s "Wicked" Physical Demands
Then there's Cynthia Erivo. If you’ve ever seen her on Broadway or in Harriet, you know she’s an absolute powerhouse. But for Wicked, the physical requirements were on another level. We aren't just talking about wearing green makeup.
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Erivo has been open about her "wild and insane" training. To play Elphaba, she was waking up at 2:00 AM to squeeze in two-hour workouts before even hitting the makeup chair. Why? Because singing while strapped into a harness—flying forty feet in the air—requires a core strength that would make an Olympic athlete sweat.
- Running: She’s a marathoner who runs 9-mile stretches to build lung capacity.
- Veganism: She’s been a strict vegan for years to protect her voice and energy levels.
- Stamina: She trained her diaphragm to breathe differently so she could belt "Defying Gravity" while suspended.
When you see her on a press tour after months of that level of athletic intensity, she’s going to look different. She’s essentially in "marathon shape" year-round. It’s not a secret health struggle; it’s the byproduct of a woman who treats her body like a high-performance instrument.
Why the "Shared" Weight Loss Narrative Is Misleading
There is a weird psychological phenomenon happening online right now. Critics are looking at both Ariana and Cynthia and claiming they’ve "shrunk" together. Some armchair experts even suggested a "social contagion" on set.
That’s a pretty heavy accusation to hurl at two professionals.
The reality is that movie sets—especially massive musicals—are grueling. You’re working 16-hour days, dancing in heavy costumes, and, in their case, dealing with the immense pressure of a $300 million production. Ariana has mentioned that during her tours and filming, she’s basically doing "low-key cardio" all day long.
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When you add the emotional weight of their friendship—which they both describe as "sisterly" and "life-changing"—you get two people who are deeply in sync. But being emotionally in sync doesn't mean they're "competing" to be thin. It means they're two petite women (Ariana is roughly 5'0") who have been through a literal physical and emotional gauntlet together.
The Danger of "Well-Intentioned" Concern
Grande made a point in late 2024 that really sticks: "There’s a comfortability that people have commenting on [bodies] that I think is really dangerous."
Even when people say they are "concerned," it still reinforces the idea that a woman's body is public property. Ariana has been a "specimen in a petri dish," as she puts it, since she was 17. Imagine every time you go to Thanksgiving dinner, your aunt tells you that you look "too thin" or "too heavy." Now imagine 60 million people doing it every time you post a photo.
It’s exhausting.
The "ariana grande cynthia erivo skinny" discourse often ignores the trauma involved. Ariana has dealt with PTSD since the Manchester bombing. She’s dealt with the loss of Mac Miller. She’s dealt with a very public divorce. Sometimes, when the brain is full of grief and anxiety, the body reacts. It’s not always a choice or a "trend."
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What We Actually Know for Fact
Let's strip away the rumors and look at what has been confirmed by the stars themselves and their teams:
- Medical History: Ariana confirmed her past "healthy" look was fueled by antidepressants and alcohol. She is currently sober from that lifestyle.
- Athletic Regimen: Cynthia is a high-level endurance athlete. Her leanness is consistent with her history as a marathon runner and her specific training for the Wicked harness work.
- Dietary Choices: Both women follow plant-based or health-conscious diets tailored for vocal performance.
- The "Wicked" Effect: Both stars have noted the film was the most physically demanding project of their careers, involving months of choreography and stunt work.
Moving Beyond the Scale
If you’re looking at these two and feeling "concerned," it might be worth asking why. Is it because they actually seem unwell, or is it because they don’t fit the specific "full-faced" image the media projected of them five years ago?
Bodies change. They fluctuate with age, stress, work, and health journeys. For Ariana and Cynthia, the Wicked era has been one of immense artistic growth. They’ve both said they feel more beautiful and "themselves" now than they ever have.
Maybe the best thing we can do is take them at their word.
Instead of hunting for "signs" of illness in a red carpet shadow, look at the stamina it takes to promote a global blockbuster for two years straight. Look at the vocal control. Look at the way they support each other during interviews when the questions get too personal. That’s the real story.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Audit your feed: If you find yourself spiraling into "body check" videos or comparison threads, hit the "Not Interested" button. These algorithms feed on scrutiny.
- Focus on the art: The best way to support these performers is to engage with the work they spent years creating—the vocals, the acting, and the production of Wicked.
- Practice "Body Neutrality": Try to view bodies as vessels for talent rather than objects to be appraised. If Ariana says she’s healthy, shifting your focus to her music or acting is the most respectful move.
- Check your "concern": Before posting a comment about someone's weight, ask if you'd say it to a friend's face. If the answer is no, it’s probably best left unsaid.
The "ariana grande cynthia erivo skinny" conversation will likely continue as long as they are in the spotlight, but we have the choice to stop fueling the fire. Health looks different on everyone. Sometimes, the most "perfect" looking version of a person is the one that's hurting the most inside. Respecting their stated boundaries isn't just "polite"—it’s necessary for their well-being.