Podcast Summary: The Brett Cooper Show – "WTF Happened on the Set of Wicked?"

Episode 96 | November 19, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brett Cooper takes a break from the usual political and cultural commentary to deep-dive into the bizarre, highly codependent relationship between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the stars of the two-part "Wicked" movie musical. Brett blends humor, personal anecdotes, and pointed cultural insights to explore how their friendship has become a spectacle, reflecting on the implications for generational behavior, relationships, and the theater world itself.

Key Points & Discussion Highlights

1. Setting the Scene: The "Wicked" Phenomenon

• Context:
  • "Wicked" movie adaptation released in two parts. Part two (titled "Wicked For Good") is set to release this week (00:43).
  • The press tours for both parts have drawn attention to the exceedingly close and emotional dynamic between the film’s leads: Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda).
  • Brett originally covered this dynamic last year but notes, “the fact that a year has gone by and nothing has changed ... I am back here yet again, that says a lot. It really, really does.” (03:02)

2. The Codependent Dynamic

• Brett’s Analysis:

  • Opens with the definition of codependency: “a dysfunctional dynamic where one person’s identity and self-worth is tied to caring for or controlling another person who in turn needs to be needed.” (01:00)
  • Quips, “I actually think the definition is simply a photo of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.” (01:13)
  • Observes the relationship has become even more intense and unhealthy over the past year: “It is even more codependent than before ... what we are seeing is not normal.” (07:23)

• Describing Their Behavior:

  • Brett likens last year’s press tour to “a group of high school theater kids on opening night ... emotions were high,” while this year is “closing night ... emotions are even higher.” (04:24)
  • Details instances of excessive physical closeness on press tour (hand-holding, miming, nose-stroking), and how their interactions overshadow the actual film promotion:
    • “As Mark [Platt, producer] continues to share his insight ... they’re over here doing a little minstrel show.” (09:35)
    • “They are simply living in their own world ... a self-obsession with each other and an elitism.” (13:53)

3. Hollywood and the Adult Theater Kid Syndrome

• Brett relates the duo’s behavior to her experiences as a theater kid, but emphasizes: “what is going on between Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande ... is at another level.” (06:30)
• Points out, “These women are in their mid-30s ... Ariana Grande is 32, Cynthia Erivo is 38 ... I am blaming Hollywood for this. This is a mess. People need to grow up and grow out of this.” (26:57)

4. Matching Tattoos: Intensity in Action

• Discussion of the numerous matching tattoos the two stars have gotten over the course of filming – hearts with initials, poppies, Glinda and Elphaba imagery, etc.
  • “At every turn I thought, that has to be the last matching tattoo. And they just kept going.” (23:43)
  • “Ladies, how long have you known each other? It just doesn’t stop. It never stops.” (25:15)

5. Traumatic Bonding: The London Incident

• Brett recounts a red-carpet incident in London where a fan jumped the barricade and rushed Ariana (31:36).
  • Cynthia, unprompted, physically shields Ariana from the fan: “Why was Ariana’s work wife more effective than security?” (32:25)
  • “She grabs Ariana into this embrace. This is where it gets weird ... look at these photos. Something is not right.” (33:10)
• Brett’s takeaway: “How has Ariana become this little, delicate flower that is all but dying without Cynthia sustaining her?” (34:00)

6. Solidarity or Co-Dependency?

• Discusses their refusal to do press interviews when Cynthia lost her voice, with Ariana joining in:
  • Headline read aloud: “Cynthia Erivo has lost her voice ... Ariana Grande will also be skipping interviews in solidarity.” (36:58)
  • Brett lampoons the behavior: “The concept of someone standing against laryngitis in solidarity!” (40:00)
• Shares online comments:
  • “She can’t speak without her precious around.” (39:15)
  • “I am certain that Cynthia has made Ariana into her horcrux. I just can’t prove it yet.” (39:25)
  • “The next time a fellow podcaster is sick... I’ll do the same in solidarity.” (40:19)

7. Memorable Interactions and Quotes

• Discusses OTT emotional interviews where interviewers feed into the act:
  • Q: “If you had to describe each other’s aura, what color would it be?”
  • Cynthia: “Yellow for me. Sunshine.”
  • Ariana: “I see like ... a ciel blue ... and a sunset orange.” (42:35)
• Brett’s reaction: “It’s like, ladies, just ... put us out of our misery. Just do the damn thing.” (44:36)

8. Meta Commentary: Generational and Social Implications

• Brett leverages the spectacle to invite broader reflection:
  • “Are we in unhealthy relationships? Are we emotionally unstable? ... Maybe we all need to, like, touch some grass, go outside, log off.” (50:45)
  • Jokes it could all just be “severe malnutrition ... these women do not look the same as when they were cast in Wicked.” (52:17)
• Addresses an unusual fan interview where the host says, “You are so important to the autistic community. You’re my ADHD and you’re my autism and you’re my brain incarnate.” (54:43)
  • Brett, baffled: “Cynthia is like, ‘I have never heard anything so profound. I am your autism.’ What again? What is going on here?” (55:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Codependency:
  • “I actually think the definition [of codependency] is simply a photo of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.” (01:13)
• On Theater Kid Energy:
  • “This is like a normal thing for theater kids. However, what is going on ... it is at another level ... not normal.” (07:23)
• On Their Own World:
  • “They are simply living in their own world ... a self-obsession with each other and an elitism.” (13:53)
• On Age and Tattoos:
  • “These women are in their mid-30s ... Ariana Grande is 32, Cynthia Erivo is 38 ... she’s getting like, ten matching tattoos with Ariana Grande. I am blaming Hollywood for this. This is a mess.” (26:57)
• On Cynthia’s Red Carpet Emergency Response:
  • “Why was Ariana’s work wife more effective than security? ... She grabs Ariana into this embrace ... Something is not right.” (32:25–33:10)
• On Press Tour Solidarity:
  • “Cynthia has lost her voice ... Ariana Grande will also be skipping interviews in solidarity ... The concept of someone standing against laryngitis in solidarity!” (36:58, 40:00)
• On Generational Reflection:
  • “Are we in unhealthy relationships? ... log off. But you know what? It could also be none of those things. It could also just be severe malnutrition.” (50:45, 52:17)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:43 — Introduction to the “Wicked” phenomenon and press tour context
• 03:02 — Return to the topic after a year: what's changed with Cynthia & Ariana?
• 07:23 — Brett’s codependency diagnosis
• 13:53 — Describing their insularity and self-obsession during interviews
• 23:43–25:15 — Revelation of the multiple matching tattoos
• 26:57 — Commentary on adulthood, Hollywood, and maturity
• 31:36–34:00 — The London red carpet incident and Cynthia’s protective behavior
• 36:58–40:19 — The lost voice / “solidarity” moment; sharing online reactions
• 42:35–44:36 — The “auras” interview and the romance of self-mythology
• 50:45–52:17 — Lessons for listeners: codependency, touching grass, and cultural health
• 54:43–55:12 — The “you are my ADHD and autism” fan interview moment

Tone and Takeaways

Brett delivers her analysis with sardonic humor, honest exasperation, and a touch of nostalgia for her own theater kid days. She uses the hyperbolic tendencies of the on-screen friendship to lampoon Hollywood excess and generational immaturity, while also offering a gentle but firm call for self-awareness in relationships at any age. The over-the-top nature of Cynthia and Ariana’s interactions is both a spectacle and a warning sign—and Brett encourages listeners to seek balance, authenticity, and perhaps just a little more fresh air.

Bottom Line

"WTF Happened on the Set of Wicked?" is a humorous yet biting dissection of codependent friendship in the public eye. Through anecdotes, fan commentary, and her own experiences, Brett Cooper weaves a cautionary tale about boundaries, maturity, and not letting life become a never-ending high school musical.

End of Summary