Ariana Grande thinks her 'Wicked' character might be "a little in the closet".
The 31-year-old singer-and-actress and her co-star Cynthia Erivo admitted their alter egos, Glinda and Elphaba, have an "unbreakable bond" and think some fans have pushed for them to be seen as a romantic pairing because they recognise the "true love" between them.
But while Cynthia thinks Elphaba just "loves love", Ariana thinks Glinda would need "more time" to recognise anything more in their friendship.
Speaking to Gay Times, Cynthia, 37, said: "I think Elphie, she goes wherever the wind blows.
"I think she loves Glinda. I think she loves love. And I don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have.
"They do have a real relationship. It is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it, you know? Because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond and love."
Ariana added: "And trust and truth. Just such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be, whether it's romantic or platonic... Glinda might be a little in the closet. You never know! Give it a little more time."
But the 'Thank U, Next' hitmaker believes the relationship between the witches "transcends sexuality".
She added: "I mean, it is just a true love, and I think that transcends sexuality.
"It's just kind of a deep safety within each other. And that's why [fans] probably why they ship it."
Ariana previously declared the land of Oz, as featured in 'Wicked' and the original 'Wizard of Oz' story, to be a "very queer place" and insisted it had "always" been that way.
She told GLAAD: "Oz is a very queer place and has always been, even from the L. Frank Baum books. It's always been queer."
