Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo at the Wicked: For Good press tour

AOL UK

Fans Gone Wicked(ly Obsessed)

BY JUSTIN WANG

DECEMBER 1, 2025

As the Wicked: For Good press tour comes to a close, fans have turned their attention not just to the movie, but to the dynamic between its stars: Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Social media platforms became flooded with cherry-picked clips, body-language analyses, and speculative conclusions declaring the pair as best friends. The intense scrutiny of the actresses exposes a broader online cultural issue: the augmentation of parasocial relationships between fans and celebrities.

Parasocial relationships are one-sided emotional bonds formed by fans toward public figures, and they can often distort perceptions of reality. For fans, investing deeply in imagined relationships creates unrealistic expectations and personal stakes in matters that do not involve them. 

“People online act like they’ve been a part of [Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s] friendship,” said sophomore Isabella Kwong. “It’s weird when fans start analyzing every little interaction.” 

Celebrities experience the other side of this imbalance. The pressure to maintain a perfect public image can be overwhelming, especially when every gesture becomes a breeding ground for speculation. 

“Being excited for Wicked is fine, but some of the talk about [Ariana and Cynthia] feels kind of invasive,” said sophomore Aathav Ashokkumar. 

When celebrities behave in ways that contradict a fan’s projected fantasies, the stars may be met with frustration, overanalysis, or harassment. The frenzy surrounding the Wicked: For Good press tour shows a truth about our online world: when fandom turns into a hyperfixation, fans and celebrities lose sight of their true identities.