The Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Matching Tattoos Most People Get Wrong

What Really Happened with the Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Matching Tattoos

Let’s be real for a second. Most movie sets are basically high school on steroids—lots of drama, cliques, and people who can’t wait to get away from each other the moment the director yells "wrap." But something weird happened on the set of Wicked. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo didn't just tolerate each other; they essentially merged souls. And they decided to prove it with a series of permanent, sometimes painful, and definitely controversial ink sessions.

If you’ve been following the Wicked: For Good press run into 2026, you've probably seen those tiny black marks on their hands. People keep calling it "the tattoo," but honestly? There are way more than just one. These aren't just PR stunts. They're basically a map of a friendship that took everyone, including director Jon M. Chu, by surprise.

The "For Good" Palm Tattoos: A Painful Choice

The big one—the one that hit Instagram and made everyone’s skin crawl a little bit—is the "For Good" script on their palms. It’s a direct nod to the iconic duet between Elphaba and Glinda. But here’s the thing about palm tattoos: they hurt. Like, really hurt.

Ariana got hers right in the center of her palm. Cynthia opted for the base of her thumb. They’re positioned so that when they hold hands, the ink actually touches. It’s sweet, sure, but tattoo artists on Reddit and beyond have been losing their minds over it. Why? Because palms are notorious for "spitting out" ink. The skin there regenerates so fast that these tattoos are basically a ticking clock. Some fans joked they should have called them "For Temporary," but for Ari and Cynthia, the symbolism mattered more than the longevity.

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The Tattoos You Didn't Notice (But Should)

Everyone talks about the palms, but the ink goes way deeper. During their press tour, they dropped hints about an entire "collection" of matching pieces.

• The Poppy Fields: Early on, they got matching poppy flowers on the sides of their hands. It’s a classic Wizard of Oz reference, but they got them the evening they finished filming the "For Good" sequence.
• The Initial Swap: This one is sort of the ultimate "best friend" move. Ariana has a tiny "e" for Elphaba (and Erivo), and Cynthia has a "g" for Glinda (and Grande).
• The Secret Ink: They’ve admitted in interviews with The Today Show and The Kelly Clarkson Show that there’s at least one "secret" joint tattoo they won't show the public.
• The Hearts: Cynthia mentioned they often forget the matching hearts they have on the backs of their legs.

Why Director Jon M. Chu Was Actually Annoyed

Here’s a fun fact most people miss: Jon M. Chu actually tried to stop them. He told PEOPLE that he cautioned them to wait until the movie was actually finished and they'd seen the final cut before getting permanent markings on their bodies.

They didn't listen. At all.

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They were getting inked as early as day three of rehearsals. Ariana later clarified that they were getting tattoos after every major milestone. When they shot "Popular," they went to the shop. When they finished "For Good," they went back. It’s almost like they were using their skin as a scrapbook for the production.

The E-E-A-T Perspective: Is This Just "Method" Bonding?

From a psychological standpoint, this kind of bonding is fascinating. You have two of the biggest vocal powerhouses on the planet. Usually, that’s a recipe for a "diva-off." Instead, they leaned into the "For Good" philosophy. Cynthia has spoken about how they each found "pieces of themselves" in the other.

Is it permanent? Well, the ink on their palms might fade by 2027, but the impact on their careers won't. This "Wicked" bond has redefined how we look at co-star chemistry. They aren't just selling a movie; they're selling the idea that two women at the top of their game can actually support each other without the industry-mandated jealousy.

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What This Means for Your Next Tattoo

If you’re looking to copy the Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande matching tattoos, you should probably think twice about the placement.

1. Avoid the Palm Center: If you want it to last more than a year without a touch-up, move it to the wrist or the forearm.
2. Fine Line Warning: Typewriter fonts like the ones they used are prone to "blurring" over time.
3. Meaning Over Aesthetic: The reason their tattoos work isn't because they're trendy; it's because they represent a specific, high-stakes moment in their lives.

Next Steps for the Wicked Fan

If you’re trying to keep track of every bit of ink before the next premiere, you should check out the high-res shots from the 2026 Golden Globes. Ariana’s recent hair change to a darker brunette has actually made the hand tattoos pop way more than they did during the "Glinda Blonde" era.

Keep an eye on their social media for the reveal of that "secret" tattoo. Given their track record, they’ll probably show it off right when we least expect it.