Cynthia Erivo Shocks Fans With New Details About Ariana Grande’s Violent Premiere Incident

The Wicked: For Good premiere was supposed to be a huge celebration, but everything shifted when chaos suddenly broke out. Ariana Grande was attacked by an intruder in the middle of the event, and Cynthia Erivo rushed to protect her. For days, fans waited to hear Erivo’s side of the story. Now, she’s finally breaking her silence.

During a special Screen Actors Guild screening at the Television Academy, Erivo opened up about that scary moment for the first time. She didn’t hold back when she talked about how much she and Grande have been through together — both on and off the screen.

Erivo explained that the movie means a lot to people who see themselves in its characters. She said the real reward is knowing viewers feel safe, understood, and represented. Then she hinted at the emotional weight she and Grande have been carrying, saying they’ve “come through some s–t” in their lives, especially in the week of the attack. The two women have grown together, not only as co-stars, but as friends, artists, and “sisters.”

The attacker has been identified as Johnson Wen, someone already known for pulling reckless stunts at major events. According to BBC, he was charged with being a public nuisance and plans to plead guilty.

Marissa Bode, who plays Nessarose Thropp in the Wicked films, didn’t stay quiet either. She went on TikTok to call out people who tried to defend the attacker by calling him a “fan.” Bode didn’t hold back, saying, “Okay. Then they’re a fan — and a loser.” She added that social media brings out the worst in people and pointed out how dangerous these attention-seeking stunts can be. “You made somebody feel incredibly unsafe,” she said. “You’re a bad person.”

Despite the drama, excitement for Wicked: For Good is still sky-high. The cast has been traveling the world promoting the film, which will bring the beloved story to its epic conclusion.

Wicked: For Good hits theaters on November 21.