Cynthia Erivo has always had this magnetic, almost otherworldly presence. Whether she’s shattering glass ceilings on Broadway or literally soaring as Elphaba in the Wicked movies, she carries herself with a specific kind of gravity. But for a long time, fans were asking one specific question: is Cynthia Erivo LGBTQ?
Honestly, the answer isn't just a simple yes. It’s a whole evolution.
For years, Erivo was relatively private about her personal life, focusing on being the powerhouse talent who could snag a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy before most people finish their morning coffee. Then, things started to shift. She didn't just "come out" in some staged, corporate way. She kinda just started living out loud, and the world finally caught up.
Breaking the Glass Box: Her Coming Out Story
Back in 2021, Erivo dropped a music video for her song "The Good." It featured a beautiful, intimate story about Black queer love. People noticed. When asked about it by the Evening Standard, she didn't dodge. She basically said, "I am queer." Short. Direct. No fluff.
But the "big" moment—the one that really stuck in the public consciousness—happened in 2022. She graced the cover of British Vogue for their Pride issue. In that interview, she explicitly identified as bisexual.
She described a feeling that a lot of queer people recognize: the "glass box." She told the magazine that for a long time, she felt like she was watching the LGBTQ+ community from the outside. Like she was looking at everyone else being vibrant and falling in love while her nose was pressed against the glass.
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"Claiming My Queerness in Public"
By 2024, Erivo wasn't just acknowledging her identity; she was championing it. During a speech at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala, she spoke about the "trepidation" she felt before being open. She admitted she was worried she might offend people or that it would change how they saw her work.
"Claiming my queerness in public, and particularly in the public eye, has meant taking a risk in order to claim my freedom." — Cynthia Erivo
It’s a heavy sentiment. Especially for a Black woman in Hollywood who already has to navigate so many layers of "otherness." She told the audience that denying a part of herself was a disservice to the whole human being.
The Wicked Connection: Elphaba and Identity
You can’t talk about Cynthia Erivo's identity without talking about Wicked. Playing Elphaba wasn't just a career milestone; it felt deeply personal for her. She has frequently drawn parallels between the "Wicked Witch" and the queer experience.
Think about it. Elphaba is the ultimate outsider. She’s literally a different color, she’s misunderstood, and she’s demonized for being powerful. Erivo has been very vocal about how Elphaba's journey is a "reclamation" of labels.
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During the massive press tours for Wicked (which carried all the way into early 2026), she and co-star Jonathan Bailey—who is also openly gay—bonded deeply over their shared queerness. They’ve spoken about how they wanted to make sure there was "space for all of us" in the world of Oz. It made the performance feel less like a fairy tale and more like a manifesto.
Relationships and Rumors: Who is She Dating?
Hollywood loves a rumor, and Erivo hasn't been immune. For a long time, she has been closely linked to writer and producer Lena Waithe. While they’ve been seen together at major events—Waithe was right there at the LGBT Center Gala when Erivo gave that moving speech—Erivo has often referred to her as a "good friend."
Then there was the whole "Criyana" thing.
During the Wicked era, the internet went into a total meltdown over the chemistry between Erivo and Ariana Grande. They were holding hands, wearing matching outfits, and basically being inseparable. This led to some wild theories. In late 2025, a viral post even claimed they were in a "non-demi-curious, semi-binary relationship."
Spoiler: that’s not a real thing. It was a joke that went way too far.
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As of early 2026, reports suggest that while Erivo and Grande forged a life-long bond, their relationship remains a deeply platonic "theatre girlie" friendship. Erivo seems to prefer keeping the finer details of her romantic life behind a bit of a curtain, which is fair enough given how much of herself she gives to her art.
Why This Matters for 2026 and Beyond
Seeing someone like Cynthia Erivo be so unapologetically "Black, bald-headed, pierced, and queer" (her words!) changes the landscape. It's not just about her being LGBTQ; it's about the fact that she is an A-list, Oscar-nominated powerhouse who doesn't feel the need to "soften" her identity to fit a specific mold.
She’s shown that you can be "the other" and still be the hero of the story.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Allies
If you’re looking to support the queer community in the way Erivo often suggests, here are a few takeaways from her journey:
- Respect the terminology: Erivo uses both "queer" and "bisexual." Use the labels a person chooses for themselves; it's about autonomy.
- Look for the subtext: Much of Erivo’s best work (like The Color Purple or Wicked) deals with themes of belonging. Watching her work through the lens of her identity adds a whole new layer of depth.
- Support Black Queer Creators: Erivo often highlights how rare it is to see Black queer love on screen. Seek out projects by creators like Lena Waithe or Janelle Monáe to broaden your perspective.
- Don't Rush the Journey: Erivo didn't "come out" until she was in her 30s. Her story is a reminder that there is no expiration date on finding your truth.
Cynthia Erivo is no longer looking through the glass. She shattered it. And in doing so, she’s made it a lot easier for the next person to walk through the shards and into the light.