Recently, rumors began circulating that Ethan Slater “called out” Cynthia Erivo for what some headlines framed as a “strange obsession” with Ariana Grande. The alleged headline —Ethan Slater CALLS OUT Cynthia Erivo’s STRANGE OBSESSION With Ariana Grande — has stirred debate among fans and media outlets alike. But a close look at what Ethan actually said — and the broader context — suggests the truth is more nuanced, and that the phrase “strange obsession” misrepresents both his remarks and the relationship between Erivo and Grande.

What Ethan Slater Actually Said

In interviews promoting the new film Wicked: For Good — in which Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo star as Glinda and Elphaba — Ethan Slater praised both their performances, calling Grande’s “out of this world” and Erivo’s “unbelievable.”

When asked about why the two leads often appear so emotionally expressive (crying, hugging, holding hands) during press tours, Slater offered a defense: he said that their frequent tears and affectionate gestures are genuine, arising from deep friendship and the emotional intensity of the project.

According to him, the emotional displays are not a publicity stunt or “obsession” — but rather a real bond formed through working closely together on a demanding, heartfelt film.

Thus: Slater didn’t accuse Erivo of having an obsession — instead he defended the closeness between her and Grande, calling their relationship authentic and emotionally driven.

Why Some People Call It a “Strange Obsession”

The notion that Erivo has an “obsession” with Grande seems to stem from how public and emotionally intense their interactions have been during the press cycle oWicked:

Throughout interviews and events, Erivo and Grande have been seen crying together, holding hands or even clasping each other’s fingers — a pattern unusual in typical film promotion.That level of visible intimacy — frequent tears, physical closeness, emotional vulnerability — has struck many as overly dramatic or performative; some critics described their behavior as “over‑the‑top,” “cringe,” or “campy.”

Social‑media commentary and tabloid coverage have amplified this perception, sometimes framing the duo’s closeness as “unnatural” or as attention‑seeking rather than sincere.

So while the media echo‑chamber may label it an “obsession,” it’s more accurate to say many view their friendship through a skeptical, often sensational lens.

Ethan’s Defense — And Why the “Obsession” Narrative Misrepresents Reality

Slater emphasized that the emotional displays come from “a really genuine place.”

He noted that working on a deeply emotional, meaningful film like Wicked can forge strong bonds — bonds that sometimes show up in unexpected ways, especially under public scrutiny.

The actresses themselves have explained their behavior — saying the tears and gestures were expressions of support, gratitude, stress release, and connection, not a romantic or obsessive dynamic.Indeed, for many fans and observers, what’s happening might simply be a powerful example of platonic intimacy and solidarity between two women — precisely the kind of supportive friendship not often given space in public life.

Thus, casting the relationship as an “obsession” risks oversimplifying and sensationalizing what appears to be a real connection forged in shared creative effort and emotional vulnerability.

What the Media & Public Reaction Reveal — And What’s at Stake

The controversy around Erivo and Grande’s closeness — and the exaggeration in some headlines — underscores broader patterns in how celebrity relationships are interpreted:

There is often a bias: intimate, emotional bonds between women (especially public figures) are quicker to be labeled “weird,” “unnatural,” or “obsessive,” compared to similar relationships between men, or between a man and a woman.

Media incentivizes sensational claims: labels like “obsession,” “scandal,” or “drama” draw clicks — but can distort the real meaning of people’s emotions.

Public perception influences celebrity behaviour: over‑scrutiny may pressure stars to perform “normalcy,” suppress vulnerability, or downplay genuine emotions to avoid misinterpretation.

In this case, “friendship” becomes “obsession” in headlines — even though to insiders, it may simply be two people who deeply support each other.

My Take: Why the Headline is Misleading — And What We Should Focus On Instead

Labeling what’s going on between Erivo and Grande as an “obsession,” especially using the word directly connected to “calling out,” seems inaccurate and loaded. Based on everything available:

Ethan Slater never accused Erivo of obsessing; he defended their emotional closeness.

The behaviors (tears, hand‑holding) — no matter how unusual for a press tour — are consistent with genuine friendship and emotional investment.

The “obsession” narrative seems driven more by media sensationalism and social‑media hype than by facts or statements from the people involved.

Instead of focusing on sensational labels, a more respectful and realistic view would acknowledge this as a rare public example of female friendship, support, and vulnerability — nothing more scandalous than two people working intensely together on a meaningful project.