Honestly, the internet has been buzzing about Cynthia Erivo’s love life for years. Ever since she traded the Broadway stage for the yellow brick road in the 2024 and 2025 Wicked films, everyone wants to know: who is Cynthia Erivo married to?
The short answer? She isn't. Not officially, anyway.
Despite those persistent rumors and some very suspicious jewelry, the Tony-winning actress hasn’t walked down the aisle just yet. But that doesn't mean she's single. For those who've been following her journey closely, there's one name that keeps popping up: Lena Waithe. The two have become one of Hollywood's most powerful, albeit private, queer couples.
The truth about Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe
If you’re looking for a marriage certificate, you won't find one. As of early 2026, Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe are widely recognized as a couple, but they haven't confirmed a legal marriage.
They’ve been "vibing," as Waithe puts it, since 2018.
Their story didn't start with a whirlwind romance. It started at the Met Gala. They met during that star-studded night, exchanged info, and basically became "sisters" first. Erivo even posted a photo of them together back then, calling Waithe her "sis" and saying they were "stuck like glue." It was platonic... until it wasn't.
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From friends to partners
Speculation really kicked into high gear around 2020. This was right around the time Lena Waithe separated from her wife, Alana Mayo.
It was messy.
Waithe and Mayo had only been married for two months when they announced their split in January 2020. Naturally, the rumor mill went into overdrive. People suggested Erivo might have been the reason for the breakup. While there were plenty of "insider" quotes floating around gossip blogs like Bossip and SheKnows about infidelity, nothing was ever actually proven. Erivo and Waithe just kept showing up at the same places—the Golden Globes after-parties, the Palm Springs Film Festival, you name it.
The "Hard Launch"
It took until May 2022 for things to become "Instagram official."
Erivo posted a sweet birthday tribute for Waithe. She wrote about a woman with a heart bigger than her body and ended it with a cryptic "I ....... You know the rest!" It wasn't a "we're getting married" announcement, but it was enough to let the world know they were together.
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By June 2022, they were spotted holding hands at the Alvin Ailey Spirit Gala. Since then, they’ve been a fixture on red carpets, though they often choose to walk them separately. You’ll see them posing solo for the cameras, then sitting side-by-side once they’re inside the theater.
Those engagement rumors at the 2025 Grammys
Why does everyone keep asking if they're married?
Well, because of the "bling."
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Erivo was spotted wearing a very prominent diamond ring on that finger. Fans immediately jumped to conclusions. Was it a secret wedding? An engagement?
Waithe was also seen wearing a gold band on her left hand around the same time. But when asked, they both played it cool. Erivo told Vanity Fair in late 2024 that she is "very tight-lipped" about her relationships. She basically said she gives so much of her soul through her work that she’s allowed to keep her private life for herself. Fair enough.
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Cynthia Erivo’s past relationships
Before she was linked to Waithe, Erivo had a few other public romances.
- Dean John-Wilson: They dated from roughly 2013 to 2017. They met while working on a production of Sister Act.
- Mario Martinez: This was a sweet one. They met the day after she won her Tony for The Color Purple in 2016. Erivo once told Vogue that he "chased" her. They stayed together for about two years before split rumors surfaced in 2019 after she wiped him from her Instagram.
What's next for the couple?
Right now, they seem stronger than ever. During the massive press tours for Wicked in 2024 and 2025, Waithe was Erivo's biggest cheerleader. She was at the L.A. premiere in a custom green suit (very on-theme) and has been constantly sharing behind-the-scenes clips of Erivo’s performance as Elphaba.
There was a bit of gossip in early 2026 about a "falling out" between Erivo and her co-star Ariana Grande, with some sources claiming their bond was purely for the cameras. But even amidst that noise, Erivo’s partnership with Waithe has remained a steady constant.
So, is Cynthia Erivo married? No.
Is she in a committed relationship? Absolutely.
If you’re keeping track of this Hollywood power couple, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the red carpets: They rarely pose together, but their coordinated outfits (like that lime green moment) are basically their way of signaling they're a unit.
- Check the credits: Both women are powerhouses in production. Don't be surprised if they eventually collaborate on a film or series through Waithe's production company.
- Respect the boundary: Erivo has been clear that she doesn't owe the public the details of her bedroom or her "forever." She identifies as queer/bisexual and is living her truth, but on her own terms.
Keep following Erivo’s career milestones—with an Oscar win potentially on the horizon, we might see a more definitive "hard launch" or even a wedding announcement during awards season.