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If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or X lately, you’ve seen the clips. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande holding hands, sharing matching tattoos, and basically looking like they’ve shared a soul for three lifetimes while promoting Wicked. It’s cute. Honestly, it’s beautiful. But it’s also led to a massive pile of misinformation about who Erivo is actually dating.
People want to ship the "Elphaba and Glinda" romance so bad. The internet even invented a term for them—a "non-demi-curious semi-binary relationship"—which sounds like something out of a gender studies textbook but was actually just a satirical post that went viral.
Here is the reality: Cynthia Erivo isn't dating Ariana Grande. She’s been in a steady, albeit private, relationship with Lena Waithe for years.
The Lena Waithe Factor
Waithe is a powerhouse. You know her from Master of None (where she made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing) and for creating The Chi. She’s not just "the girlfriend." She is a mogul.
They first met at the Met Gala in 2018. If you look back at Cynthia's Instagram from that night, she posted a photo with Lena saying she’d "finally found my sis." It started as a "meeting of minds," but by early 2020, things shifted.
The timeline gets a little messy here because Lena had just separated from her wife, Alana Mayo, after only two months of marriage. Tabloids did what they do—they speculated. They whispered about "overlapping timelines." But Cynthia and Lena didn't give the vultures anything. They stayed quiet, kept their heads down, and just... existed.
Why 2025 Was a Huge Year for Them
By 2025, the "rumor" stage was long gone. While Cynthia was busy becoming the face of a billion-dollar movie franchise, Lena was right there.
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, fans went into a full-blown meltdown because Cynthia was spotted wearing a massive diamond ring on that finger. The "is she engaged?" searches spiked 400% in an hour. Despite the jewelry, insiders close to the couple told People they weren't engaged. Cynthia just likes jewelry. She’s an aesthetic icon; she’s going to wear the rocks regardless of a contract.
Public Moments That Mattered
- Wicked Premieres: Lena attended multiple premieres in 2024 and 2025, often wearing "Erivo Green" (or signature Elphaba shades) to support her partner.
- The "Hard Launch" (Sorta): They don't do traditional red carpet poses often. They walk separately but are caught in "sweet embraces" (as Just Jared puts it) once they get inside.
- Social Media Hints: Cynthia’s birthday posts for Lena are rare but heavy. One caption read: "I... you know the rest." It’s basically the celebrity version of "if you know, you know."
The "Queer Glass Box"
In 2022, Cynthia told British Vogue something that still resonates today. She described her life before coming out as "looking at my own community from inside a glass box." She saw people being vibrant and falling in love, but she felt separate.
That’s why her relationship in 2025 matters so much. She isn't just dating someone; she’s living authentically after years of feeling like an outsider to her own identity. She identifies as bisexual and queer. Lena identifies as a lesbian. Together, they’ve become one of the most influential queer power couples in Hollywood, even if they refuse to give the public the "performative" romance people crave.
What’s Going On With Ariana Grande Now?
It’s January 2026 as I write this. The Wicked press tour is finally winding down, and the "Ariana and Cynthia are dating" rumors are finally dying.
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Recent reports from the 2026 Golden Globes (which just happened a few days ago) showed Ariana appearing solo and looking radiant. Predictably, some gossip sites claimed they "fell out" because they weren't glued at the hip.
The truth? It’s just work. They spent two years in a bubble. They have matching tattoos. They are "soulmates" in a creative sense. But Ariana is still with Ethan Slater, and Cynthia is still with Lena. The "cooling off" people see is just two busy women finally getting a break from a grueling schedule.
The Reality of Celebrity Privacy
Cynthia told Vanity Fair that she is "tight-lipped" for a reason. She gives her soul in her songs and her acting. She doesn't feel she owes the public the details of who she wakes up next to.
"I think I give enough of myself that I’m allowed to keep something for me."
That’s a fair boundary. In an era where every influencer "tea" channel is hunting for a breakup or a scandal, Cynthia and Lena have managed to maintain a relationship that feels grounded.
Summary of the Current Status
If you're looking for the "tl;dr" on where things stand right now:
- Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe are still together. They are the real deal.
- No, she isn't married. That 2025 ring was just high fashion.
- The Ariana Grande "romance" was strictly platonic. Intense, yes. Romantic, no.
- Cynthia is focused on her EGOT. She has the Emmy, the Grammy, and the Tony. She’s just waiting on that Oscar, and 2026 might be her year for it.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want the most accurate updates on Cynthia’s life, stop following "blind item" accounts on TikTok. They thrive on the Ariana-ship because it gets clicks. Instead, watch for Lena’s production credits and Cynthia’s red carpet appearances—they support each other's work silently but consistently. Their relationship is built on career respect, not PR stunts.
If you’re tracking Cynthia’s awards season run this year, keep an eye on the guest lists for the upcoming Oscars. That's usually where the "real" Hollywood couples make their most definitive appearances.