The duo became emotional during several promotional appearances, sparking support and laughter on social media, with many fans joining in on what became an ongoing joke. Their deep bond, they explained, is behind these teary interviews. During an appearance on E! News, Grande addressed those who might be puzzled—or even annoyed—by their outbursts. “We’ve cried 500 times today," she said, laughing. "So sorry, guys. And honestly, if anyone’s finding it annoying, same here. I’m tired, my tear ducts are tired.”
Both actresses shared that they were caught in a “private cry” together in a car park before their interview, reflecting on the journey they’d been through together. Erivo noted that their connection had grown deeply personal over the years, hinting that their bond goes far beyond the movie. “We’ve come through a massive thing and really stuck together,” she said. Grande echoed these sentiments, adding that the friendship they built off-camera added even more weight to the film.
The path to Wicked's release has been a long one, marked by challenges including a delayed start in December 2022 due to COVID-19 and further complications with the SAG-AFTRA strike in 2023. But as Grande told Entertainment Tonight, the experience has stretched over nearly three years, making the upcoming release all the more significant. Alongside Erivo and Grande, Wicked features a star-studded cast including Jonathan Bailey, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum, and finally opens in theaters November 22.