Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the blockbuster Wicked films, has addressed the wave of online jokes that emerged after a fan unexpectedly rushed toward Grande during the Singapore premiere of the movie. While many initially viewed the viral clip as a humorous moment, the actress says the reality was far more alarming.
The incident occurred when a fan suddenly broke through and grabbed Grande on the red carpet, leaving both actresses shocked. Reports later indicated that the Australian man involved was sentenced to nine days in prison over the incident.
Speaking in an interview with Variety, Erivo recalled the tense moments, explaining that her reaction was driven purely by concern for her friend and colleague.
“Nobody moved. Nobody moved,” she said.
Faced with a situation that appeared to be escalating, Erivo said she acted immediately.
“So I moved because my brain went, ‘Get him away! Get him out of here!’ My immediate reaction was, ‘Get him away from us.’”
According to the Oscar-nominated actress, many people commenting online failed to grasp what was actually unfolding in those few seconds. She stressed that the fan had refused to release Grande, making the situation far more serious than it appeared in the brief video circulating on social media.
“What people couldn’t see is that he wouldn’t let go of Grande. He wouldn’t let go. So I just kept pushing at him to get him off.”
She emphasized that celebrity status does not erase personal boundaries and that public figures deserve the same respect and sense of safety as everyone else.
“A stranger is a stranger. Personal space is still personal space. It doesn’t belong to anyone, even if you feel you know the person. In that moment, we were all terrified.”
However, as the footage spread online, much of the conversation shifted away from the frightening nature of the incident. Instead, social media users turned Erivo into the subject of memes and jokes, portraying her as Grande’s unofficial bodyguard.
For the actress, the ridicule went beyond harmless humour. She argued that many of the comments reflected deeper stereotypes about Black women and the assumptions often attached to their appearance.
“I think that we haven’t really come to terms with the insidious nature of how we view Black women.”
Erivo explained that many jokes focused on her physique, body shape and bald hairstyle, reinforcing stereotypes that cast her as physically dominant or naturally responsible for protecting others.
“That’s what was being made fun of. It was my physique, it was my shape, it was the fact that I was bald; it was about what I looked like.”
She noted that people appeared to assume she was larger and stronger than Grande and therefore expected to take on a protective role.
“And because of that, there was this assumption that I was bigger than my co-star and so I had to be controlling or protecting, and that was my role.”
The actress suggested that public reaction may have been very different had the circumstances been reversed, raising questions about the gendered and racial assumptions that continue to shape public perception.
Beyond the jokes, Erivo revealed the emotional toll the episode took on her. What she considered a natural human reaction to a potentially dangerous situation was transformed into a narrative she did not recognise.
“I felt like something I did instinctively had been made to be something that it simply was not.”
Describing the experience as deeply hurtful, she said she felt as though her “humanity had been bastardised” by the online commentary and the assumptions people made about her intentions.
The actress also used the opportunity to address speculation surrounding her close friendship with Grande, a relationship that has frequently attracted public attention throughout the Wicked promotional campaign.
According to Erivo, many observers have questioned whether their friendship is genuine, despite the strong bond they developed while working together.
“I think that people didn’t really believe that we were actually friends. But that’s also because people don’t know me very well.”
She added:
“If I’m a friend, then I’m a friend. If I’m not, then I’m not.”
Erivo's comments offer a rare glimpse into the personal impact of viral scrutiny, highlighting how a split-second decision made in a moment of fear became the subject of widespread judgment. The actress also admitted that experiences like this have left her uneasy about participating in future awards campaigns, saying she is reluctant to expose herself to another cycle of intense public scrutiny and online criticism.
Her reflections have reignited discussions about celebrity safety, personal boundaries and the often-unspoken biases that influence how Black women are perceived when they step into protective or leadership roles.