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Jada Pinkett Smith is opening up about her close bond with actress and singer Cynthia Erivo, describing her as a “dear sister.” In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar for Erivo’s November cover story, Pinkett Smith shared that she has been supporting the Wicked: For Good star as she navigates the challenges that come with rising fame. The 54-year-old actress said she checks in on Erivo often, understanding how overwhelming sudden stardom can be. According to the magazine, Erivo also stays connected with women such as Oprah Winfrey, Debbie Allen, Whoopi Goldberg, and Gayle King, who provide guidance on maintaining balance in the spotlight.
Pinkett Smith, who has been married to actor Will Smith since 1997, explained that part of her support involves helping Erivo stay grounded and focused on what truly matters in Hollywood. She emphasized the importance of “nourishing the truth within you” and recognizing one’s own beauty and power instead of relying on external validation.She said that depending too much on others for affirmation can become a trap in the entertainment industry.
Their friendship has been publicly celebrated several times, including in May 2024 when Jada presented Cynthia with an award at the Los Angeles
LGBT Center Gala. While introducing her, Pinkett Smith praised Erivo’s light and talent, saying the award honored those whose “star burns brightly enough so that others may dare to shine.” During her acceptance speech, Erivo expressed deep gratitude to Jada for her consistent support, describing her as someone with a rare gift for truly seeing people in their fullness and encouraging her to explore her deepest potential.
Jada has continued to show her admiration for Erivo’s achievements, recently applauding her performance in Wicked on Instagram. “Cynthia, you are such a special being and your performance in this movie illuminates what a phenomenal artist you are,” she wrote, adding, “Keep shining, Beautiful!”
Erivo’s Wicked: For Good is set to premiere in theaters on November 21. Meanwhile, Jada Pinkett Smith, whose last major screen appearance was in The Matrix Resurrections in 2021, has recently focused more on producing and narration, including her work on Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra miniseries in 2023.