Cynthia Erivo on Bodyguard Memes

Cynthia Erivo recounted an incident where she had to physically intervene to protect Ariana Grande from a man who would not release her. Erivo explained that her immediate instinct was to remove the man, noting he would not let go of Grande. This protective action, however, led to online mockery, with memes and videos portraying Erivo as Grande's "bodyguard."

Erivo suggested these jokes revealed deeper, insidious perceptions about Black women. She stated the humor targeted her appearance, including her physique and bald head, implying a stereotype that she was larger and thus inherently controlling or protective. She questioned if a similar situation involving different appearances would have generated the same kind of criticism or assumptions, pushing back against the idea that her reaction was excessive.

She further argued that such assumptions are rooted in harmful biases and that the commentary often overlooks the actual event. Erivo believes the narrative became about her look rather than her justified protective response. The actress pushed back on the criticism, asserting that her actions were a necessary response to a perceived threat.