Wait, why have Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo been accused of ‘queerbaiting’ Wicked?

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have been accused of “queerbaiting” fans in Wicked, with some arguing that their focus on the film’s queer presence is performative at best, and problematic at worst.

After planting nine million actual tulips and countless frustrating pushbacks, the film is out and Wicked reviews are pouring in. Though some have complained about the film’s lack of colour, others have taken to social media with issues directly tied to statements from Wicked super-fan Ariana Grande and Elphaba actress Cynthia Erivo.

As one of the most popular stage musicals of all time, Wicked has legions of gay fans who have grown attached to the eccentric personalities of the Emerald City over the years. The queer metaphors are very much present in the film, but Ariana and Cynthia took it one step further in their sit-down with Gay Times.

“Glinda might be a little in the closet. You never know! Give it a little more time,” Ariana said in the interview. “Everyone is just so beautifully queer and that roots all the way back to the L. Frank Baum books, where, like, literally the most commonly used word in the books is queer.”

Ariana went as far as to say that the citizens of the Emerald City are like a Pride parade, adding “Even like the chickens, those chickens are gay.”

Cynthia, who is at the centre of her very own Wicked meme, continued: “I think Elphie, she goes wherever the wind blows. I think she loves Glinda. I think she loves love. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have.

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“They do have a relationship. It is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it, you know? Because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond and love.”

“And trust and truth. Just such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be, whether it’s romantic or platonic,” Ariana added. “I mean, it is just a true love, and I think that transcends sexuality.”

People say Ariana has doubled down on ‘Gelphie’ posts

I’m not the only one who thinks the marketing for Wicked feels like queerbaiting right? pic.twitter.com/V2TSrfVaho

— Agent-Phoenix (@AgentPhoenixx) November 17, 2024

After the interview was published late last week, people took to social media with complaints of “queerbaiting” from the film’s leading stars.

“I’m not the only one who thinks the marketing for Wicked feels like queerbaiting right?” one person said, as another echoed, “If you fall for queerbaiting in Wicked, you’re also likely to lose chess to a dog.”

“Ariana reposting Gelphie memes onto her story, liking a post abt the flower fields being lesbian coloured, saying the boy is mine is about Elphaba, and then saying Glinda is in the closet…” another said. “Ariana is going hard on this ship! First, she says Glinda is a little in the closet and now she’s wearing Elphie’s hat?! Girl.”

ariana reposting gelphie memes onto her story, liking a post abt the flower fields being lesbian colored, saying the boy is mine is about elphaba, and then saying glinda is in the closet…
pic.twitter.com/yzXE53hZKo

— isley 🫧 (@toxcyuri) November 21, 2024

Though there are romantic plots in the film, they largely centre around male and female relationships – so where’s the gay representation Ariana and Cynthia preached about?

Though the term queerbaiting has become diluted with differing meanings, it typically calls into question marketing tactics that serve to trick queer audience members into thinking the project holds space for them.

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Featured Image credit: YouTube/Gay Times & YouTube/Universal Pictures