The Wicked fandom is a unique one indeed.
The film franchise, starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, first hit our screens in November, with the latest and final instalment, aptly titled Wicked: For Good, hitting cinemas just last month (21 November).
Both movies, and their accompanying press tours, have sparked a whole bunch of viral moments, social media debates and online speculation, with a huge talking point being all about Grande and Erivo's relationship.
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For starters, there's the 'secret marriage' theory, as well as chatter about the 'semi-binary' relationship, with Grande herself even explaining why she and her Wicked co-star are so touchy-feely during interviews.
Oh yeah, and we can't forget that viral 'holding space' moment.
However, in the latest update on the saga, Wicked director Jon M. Chu has issued his firm response to the speculation surrounding his two leading ladies.
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Earlier this week (1 December), Chu sat down at an American Cinematheque Wicked: For Good screening and Q&A, where he defended the actresses following the online vitriol.
"For us to be at a time when you can have these two amazing women emerge from their shells to share love and friendship and the importance of that, unabashedly, no cynicism; to be able to share that vulnerability and wounds with the world, knowing people are going to come out with their knives, shame on people who put that down," he said.
Speaking of Grande, 32, and Erivo, 38, the director continued: "These girls are giving us everything; it is why people around the world are drawn to it. It’s why they love it, and they’re sharing a real friendship that happened on set that I got to be a part of, and we should honour that with everything that we have."
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As we say, Grande herself has also addressed her close friendship with Erivo.
Talking to Amy Poehler on her Good Hang podcast last month, Ariana she opened up on exactly why she and Erivo touch so often during their press tours.
Poehler described the bond between Ariana and Cynthia as 'really cool' was really cool, mentioning specifically how they use physical touch in a supportive way.
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She said: "It’s really sweet how you touch each other. You like to touch in a nonsexual way, in a loving way of supporting each other.”
The host continued: "You like to hold each other’s hands and be there for each other. It’s very sweet. You like to do that with people. Am I wrong?"
Grande confirmed: "I do, I do,. I channel a lot of energy through my hands.
"And so I’m always holding a hand. I’m always, like, squeezing a something, as you’ve learned. I’m always reaching for something sometimes."
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She added that she sometimes squeezes who she's with, explaining: "Yeah, I like to channel support and energy....I didn’t even notice that it was a thing about me until that thing happened."
Poehler then cut in with: "You’re talking about when you grabbed Cynthia’s little finger. It was so cute.”
The singer and actress admitted: "Yeah, because I didn’t know what the f**k was going on. I just wanted to be supportive.
"I was like, oh my God. And it felt sweet. It felt beautiful. And it was beautiful."
Topics: Wicked, TV And Film, Ariana Grande, Celebrity
Rhiannon Ingle