Ariana Grande Keeps Cynthia Erivo’s Prosthetic Ears as Unique Memento from ‘Wicked’ Set

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda in the upcoming film adaptation of the Broadway musical “Wicked,” has revealed an unusual keepsake from the set: her co-star Cynthia Erivo‘s prosthetic Elphaba ears. The pop star-turned-actress shared the quirky detail during a recent interview with BBC Radio 1, offering a glimpse into the camaraderie between the two leads.

“Right now, they’re just next to the printer, like with pens and printer and then Cynthia’s ears,” Grande said, describing the unexpected placement of the prop in her home. The prosthetic ears were created to cover Erivo’s numerous piercings, transforming her into the green-skinned Elphaba. Grande joked about potentially using the ears to confuse guests, saying, “Sometimes if I’m having guests over, if I put out a tray of whatever, I’ll just kind of leave them nearby to see if anyone gets a little confused.”

The actress quickly clarified that she hasn’t actually done this yet but added, “I will.” She also admitted that framing the ears felt “weird,” leaving them in their current spot for now.

Grande and Erivo have frequently spoken about their deep connection both on and off-screen, with their friendship often described as a reflection of the bond between their characters, Glinda and Elphaba. During the interview, Grande recounted a pivotal moment during the filming of “Defying Gravity,” one of the musical’s most iconic songs. Erivo winked at Grande during the scene, a gesture that nearly broke Grande out of character but ultimately made it into the final cut.

“It’s a very emotional moment,” Grande said. “I think in that moment, we’re both breaking. And I think the wink was so generous and warm because she knows how hard it is for Glinda to open up and cry and to become emotional like that.” She described the moment as a testament to the unconditional love between their characters, adding, “It’s saying to someone, ‘I recognize that we can no longer grow together. We have to grow apart, and I want that for you because I know it’s right and best for you.’”

Erivo, who plays Elphaba, previously explained the need for prosthetic ears due to her extensive ear piercings. “I have a million piercings, so they brought in a prosthetic artist who created basically a shell for my ears,” she said in a November interview. “Those aren’t my ears!”

Grande also revealed that she took other props from the set, including Glinda’s wand, books, and several snow globes from the Emerald City. She even hinted at taking “a piece of Johnny Bailey,” though she declined to elaborate, calling it a “movie two spoiler.”

“Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu, is currently in theaters, with its sequel, “Wicked: For Good,” set to premiere this Thanksgiving. The film has already generated buzz for its star-studded cast and faithful adaptation of the beloved musical.