Ariana Grande Secretly 'Liking' Posts About Cynthia Erivo Meme Backlash — Fans Say It's Heartbreaking

A shock ran through social media spaces when it was claimed that Ariana Grande had quietly 'liked' posts mocking Cynthia Erivo, a move that many fans say feels like betrayal. The unverified allegations have thrown the carefully crafted public image of the Wicked co-stars' friendship into turmoil, sparking a fierce debate about loyalty and online behaviour.

The allegation quickly evolved into a cultural flashpoint, prompting intense discussion about the meaning of subtle social media gestures in a climate where every click is interpreted as commentary. For many, the episode highlights how digital breadcrumbs can destabilise carefully built narratives of unity, support and representation in an instant.

Unpacking The Meme Backlash

During the press tour for film Wicked: For Good, Erivo and Grande became central figures in what came to be known as the 'holding space' meme. In an interview with journalist Tracy E Gilchrist, the journalist said that fans were 'holding space' for the song 'Defying Gravity', meaning they were emotionally resonating with it as a queer-empowerment anthem. Erivo appeared deeply moved; Grande reached out, holding her finger in a gesture of comfort. The clip quickly went viral, inspiring both admiration and ridicule online.

Grande later admitted she 'did not know what any part of it meant' during the interview. Nevertheless, the moment became emblematic, simultaneously hailed as an emotionally raw expression of solidarity and mocked by others as overly dramatic or embarrassing.

Meanwhile, Erivo has taken public stances against fan edits and AI-generated content that altered promotional posters for the film, calling them 'deeply hurtful.' Grande voiced her support: 'I have so much respect for my sister, Cynthia, and I love her so much,' she told Variety.

The 'Secret Like' That Changed Everything

Into this volatile mix of fandom adoration and social media scorn stepped a new claim: that Grande was secretly 'liking' posts mocking Erivo. These posts ranged from jokes about Erivo's expressions to memes criticising her protectiveness of Grande, particularly during a fan intrusion incident at a recent premiere. The alleged action stirred confusion and hurt across fan communities, with many calling it a betrayal of the support Grande had previously declared.

The lack of official confirmation from Grande or her team adds to the uncertainty. No public statement has clarified whether the 'likes' were intentional, a misclick, or possibly the work of a fan account. The speculation has nonetheless unleashed a tidal wave of discussion, from heartbreak and disappointment to anger and confusion, among supporters on both sides.

Fans Caught Between Loyalty And Doubt

On social media platforms, reactions have been fierce. Some fans expressed shock and heartbreak, interpreting the alleged 'likes' as a quiet endorsement of anti-Erivo sentiment. Others cautioned that, without verification, the claim might be manipulated or exaggerated. Yet many acknowledged the deeper issue: even the possibility of such a move from Grande shakes faith in what their friendship with Erivo represented.

For longtime admirers of both stars, the idea that Grande could subtly engage with negative content about Erivo feels like a betrayal of the mutual respect and vulnerability the pair once publicly embodied.

Implications for Representation And Trust

The controversy underscores a larger dynamic in celebrity culture, where public personas and private actions collide, often under intense scrutiny. The 'holding space' meme had resonated especially within queer and minority communities as a moment of emotional honesty and solidarity. Now, the suggestion that Grande might be complicit in mocking that same vulnerability threatens to undermine trust beyond fandom.

It also raises questions about how easily supportive gestures can be reinterpreted, or weaponised, once they become content. When genuine expressions of care are subject to ridicule, the cost is often borne disproportionately by those already vulnerable to prejudice.

What Remains Unclear

At present, there is no publicly available evidence, court docket, lawsuit, confirmed screenshot, or credible insider testimony that definitively proves Ms Grande 'liked' such posts. No statement from her camp confirms or denies the allegation. In the absence of direct confirmation, the claim remains unverified, even as it fuels widespread speculation.

Online, that ambiguity has forced fans and observers to confront an uncomfortable possibility: that the lines between support, performance, and complicity may be far more blurred than they knew. Ms Grande's silence leaves fans asking not only what's real, but whether trust itself has become a casualty of celebrity scrutiny.