Ariana Grande: Wicked & Marathon Training – Balancing Act

Cynthia Erivo is balancing a demanding performance schedule in the West End production of Dracula with rigorous training for the London Marathon, and her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande is reportedly concerned for her well-being. Grande has been sending “very worried” text messages to Erivo, according to the actress.

Erivo revealed Grande’s concern during an appearance on the British talk show This Morning on Thursday, April 3, 2026. She is currently performing all 28 characters in a one-woman adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in London’s West End, a role requiring the memorization of approximately 20,000 words.

“Ari is very, very worried that I’m not resting enough, so she’s consistently texting,” Erivo said, as reported by the Times of India and MSN.com. She also shared that fellow Wicked cast members Jonathan Bailey and Jeff Goldblum have offered their support. Goldblum sent Erivo a “beautiful love letter,” she added.

“Jeff came, Jonathan came. I think everyone’s sort of like trickling in,” Erivo explained. “I got some really beautiful messages, and Jonathan is constantly texting to make sure I’m okay. Jeff sent the most beautiful love letter, and he does. I, I love Jeff very, very much, and Jonathan, that everyone’s so lovely, it feels like we have a little bit of a family.”

Erivo described her approach to memorizing the extensive Dracula script, comparing it to the process a dancer might use. “I learn it in chunks. What you have to do is learn it with a reason. So I have to know where [the characters] are and what they’re doing and why they’re saying things, and that’s the only way I can commit it to memory,” she said.

Alongside her theatrical commitments, Erivo is training for the London Marathon, aiming to complete the race in under three hours and 30 minutes. She integrates rehearsal into her daily routine while preparing for the marathon, demonstrating a remarkable dedication to both her stage and athletic pursuits.

Erivo’s dedication to both roles has clearly prompted concern from her Wicked colleagues, particularly Ariana Grande, who is known for her own demanding schedule as a global pop star. The pair will co-star in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked, scheduled for release in November 2024.

The Wicked film has been a long-term project, with production facing delays. Grande and Erivo have been seen together during rehearsals and promotional events, building anticipation among fans. The supportive atmosphere among the cast appears to extend beyond the set, with Grande proactively checking on Erivo’s well-being amidst her dual commitments.

Erivo’s relationship with Lena Waithe, the creator of the television series The Chi, was also noted in a Facebook post by Women’s Health UK, clarifying that speculation about a romantic connection with Ariana Grande was incorrect.