SZA is calling out memes of Cynthia Erivo protecting Ariana Grande, arguing that the internet trend is an example of “classic misogynior.”
According to The Grio, the memes stemmed from an incident in November at the Wicked: For Good premiere at Universal Studios Singapore, during which a fan rushed at Grande, and Erivo stepped in to shield her.
Afterward, Erivo told Today that she “just wanted to make sure my friend was safe,” Complex reported.
“I’m sure he didn’t mean us harm, but you never know with those things, and I wanted to make sure that she was OK. That was my first instinct,” she told the outlet.
As clips of the incident spread online, many criticized Erivo’s swift reaction, while memes depicting the singer as an animated skeleton, Grande’s bodyguard, or a Hulk-like figure — as well as videos of men mimicking her — quickly went viral.
SZA has had enough — here’s what she said and how she has stood up for the Wicked star in the past.
SZA criticized ‘everyone’ for attacking Erivo ‘for being black bald and nurturing’
The “Luther” singer shared her take on the memes in the comments of an Instagram reel posted by @thefilmdiva, The Grio reported.
“Why are you making her masculine? She’s just as small as [Ariana],” the user wrote, questioning whether their disdain for the trend was “too woke.”
SZA, who is now the top commenter on the video, vehemently agreed with the user.
The Grammy winner wrote, “[Ur] not bugging and no one is too woke ! It’s CLASSIC Misogynoir! NOTHING ELSE !!! Can’t believe it’s openly a thing in 2025 .. everyone’s gonna have cognitive dissonance 2 years later like ‘remember when everyone attacked Cynthia for being black bald and nurturing?… that was crazy’ ..it could jus stop now lol.”
Many commenters echoed SZA’s sentiment.
“@sza YUP because if the roles were flipped they would be calling Ms. Grande ‘motherly’ and ‘soft and nurturing’ people need to stop masculinizing black women for no reason,” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “the way you ate that!!”
And one user argued that “the jokes have gone on for way too long & never should have started 😭😭.”
SZA defended Erivo after she was named British GQ’s Man of the Year
This isn’t the first time SZA has defended Erivo. The “Good Days” singer stood up for the Wicked star after she received backlash for being included in British GQ’s Men of the Year list, Complex reported.
“I’m confused .. it’s 2025,” SZA wrote in a comment on a TikTok video questioning Erivo’s inclusion on the list. “Kim Kardashian and so many other women have been chosen. I’m also man of the year. It’s the category name .. not an identity.. I’m sorry but this is a non topic.”