Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Take Lie Detector Tests | Vanity Fair

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Do you think the moon landing was fake?
No!
We're picking up some deception here.
That's hilarious! That's hilarious!
Do you think the moon landing is fake?
No, not till now! Not till Stephanie put that in me!
We've been talking about this for over a year.
We have been. So, you, that's for sure.
I said this in the Emerald City.
I said one day we're going to do the Vanity Fair lie detector test together.
And I said we needed to finish the film first.
Ariana. Cynthia.
We've brought you here today to take a lie detector test.
One of you will be hooked up to the machine, while the other will ask the questions.
And then you'll switch.
Who wants to be in the hot seat first?
Oh, that was quick!
I'll do it.
Okay, go ahead.
Why not?
Sure.
I feel like, why not?
Ari's ready.
The eye's closing.
Can it feel my general anxiety?
It can, that's what it's all about.
Cool. Oh, fuck me.
Ariana?
Yeah?
I'm going to ask you a few questions to calibrate the lie detector.
Is your full name Ariana Grande Butera?
Yes.
Were you born on June the 26th?
Yes.
Are you nervous?
Absolutely.
That I'm beaming, like, in the best way.
Ariana, you have seven albums and two Grammys.
Would you say you have a perfect work ethic?
I would say I'm a very hard worker.
I wouldn't say there's such a thing as perfect work ethic at all.
I think I'm a workaholic, so I wouldn't say perfect.
I think I have, like, maybe an unhealthy relationship to it.
That thing's probably scribbling fucking X's and O's over there.
Truthful.
Wow.
The next question here is, have you ever called yourself a workaholic?
Oh, yes, moments ago.
Do you ever take vacations?
I have taken vacations in my life.
Truthful.
I would like to go on one again.
You are a huge fan of Disney World.
Yes.
Would you ever go on a Disney cruise to relax?
No.
No, I think there's a line that we draw.
I know that was the truth.
Also, just, I think maybe I'm not a cruise person in general.
Ariana, you have a very dedicated fan base.
Would you say you love your fans?
Very much.
Yes?
Truthful.
Do you love them all the time?
I love them always, but I think sometimes they can hurt my feelings.
And sometimes I don't like them, but I love them always.
Does that make sense?
Yes.
She's being truthful.
Girl, I love you.
That was such a sweet answer.
I love you so much.
It's a hard relationship.
I know.
I think that sort of, like, weirdly parasocial, but it feels very real to me.
So sometimes it's hard, but I love them very much.
Have you ever DM'd a fan just to chat?
Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
All the time.
Yeah.
What about befriended a fan?
Yes, it's happened.
Okay.
Three times.
Very close friends.
That's very specific.
Very close, like, seven to 12 years of friendship at this point.
Your fans are called Arianators.
Did you come up with that name?
No.
Do you like it?
No.
The machine is picking up some deception.
I don't like it.
I mean, I've accepted it.
Yeah.
But would I pick that?
Of course not.
That's insane.
She is being truthful.
Thank you, Stephanie.
The thing is, you know I can tell when she's telling the truth, because she gets the look of concern on her face.
You know how people have resting bitch face?
Yes.
I have resting constant fret face.
Truly.
That's what my mom says.
You're very interested in astrology.
Do you ever make rash judgments based on people's signs?
No, I try not to, because I think within each sign, there are many different kinds of each.
Truthful?
Truthful.
Did you look up if we were compatible before we started working together?
No.
That was a lie.
It was a lie?
I think I looked up your sign, but I didn't look up compatibility because I have Capricorn friends.
I know the compatibility well.
Stephanie.
Stephanie.
Stephanie.
Inconclusive.
But I definitely looked up your sign.
Yeah.
I don't know if I looked up compatibility because I know Capricorns.
Can you tell that I'm nervous?
The machine's giving an indication of some nervousness.
Well, yeah, I need a glass of wine.
Yeah.
This is crazy.
Red, please.
This is insane.
Before we finish.
This isn't going where I thought it would go.
But I like it.
What else is there?
You are famously known for doing celebrity impersonations.
Hi.
Has anyone ever confronted you about an impersonation?
As in, like, they didn't like it?
Mm.
Ooh.
No, I don't think so.
No.
That would be terrible.
Truthful.
Have you ever confronted anyone who's impersonated you?
No.
Have you ever wanted to?
Yes.
In a fun way.
Yeah.
You're a huge fan of Drag Race.
Would you want to see this person perform as you?
Absolutely.
Anytime, anyplace.
I'm a massive Gottmik stan.
Which song?
I don't know.
Gottmik devours everything.
The Boy Is Mine or, like, something emotional.
Be honest.
Was being a guest judge on Drag Race harder than The Voice?
Hmm.
I wouldn't say one was harder than the other.
Just different.
Yep.
Truthful.
Love you.
You've released almost a dozen perfume lines.
Do you exclusively wear your own perfume?
I'd say, like, 99.9% of the time, yes.
Would you say it's the best perfume you've ever used?
I have my favorites, but yeah.
I would say that.
Truthful.
Ariana, who is the best-smelling celebrity you've ever met?
You.
Us.
That's the fun thing.
We both waft down the hall so we can tell when one is coming to set.
No one even has to check or ask.
It says not yourself and not me.
I've never met anyone else.
Okay.
This is it.
She's being truthful.
That's it.
In his lie detector test, Troye Sivan said that you were one of his favorite collaborators of all time.
You've collaborated with so many legends.
Do you think you could choose your favorite?
Was it this person?
Mariah is the queen of my life.
I think I have to say you.
Why did I know you were going to say that?
Because it's like, this is a very unique thing that we got to do.
And singing face-to-face together and hearing your voice in my ears, my raw ears and your raw voice is like the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life.
I mean, obviously Mariah, but obviously you.
Can't we have a tie?
She's telling the truth.
I know.
You will make me cry.
It's the truth.
Is there anyone you haven't yet collaborated with that you want to?
Is it this person?
Oh my goodness!
But haven't you collaborated?
Well, we have secretly collaborated.
We sang every song in the Great American Songbook together.
This is true.
Every day.
You once said you're not easily embarrassed.
Do you still stand by that?
I think I meant when I said that I was talking about when I was young, a young girl.
Like when I was young, I used to not be very embarrassable because I was just like, you know, I think it was when I was younger that I meant.
Have you ever watched an old interview of yours and cringed?
Oh, absolutely.
And I'll do that with this one.
I'm sure.
Absolutely.
What about your past performances?
Cursed.
Cursed?
Yeah.
Leave it.
Why does everything have to be there forever, you know?
But like in a loving way.
Like I embrace, I celebrate what once was.
But wow.
Ho, you know?
What emotion comes up when you see this?
Oh my goodness.
We look like babies.
Where are we?
I have no idea.
I actually think it's very sweet.
I had a really hard time in the beginning with my red hair.
And I think I felt very pretty.
Oh, this day.
Shit.
Okay.
Yes, this was before I learned that I should have straight eyebrows and not Satan's arch.
So this was before that.
And this was two noses ago for Frankie.
So it's beautiful.
And my brother was there for support and for us to go on a red carpet together when we had no idea what it even was or what anything was.
But it's emotional to see.
You have an album called Dangerous Woman.
Can I ask you some rapid fire dangerous questions?
Holy, yeah.
Do you think the moon landing was fake?
Jesus Christ.
What do you take me for?
No.
No.
Inconclusive.
They're sort of the same.
That's hilarious.
That's hilarious.
Do you think the moon landing is fake?
No, not until now.
Not until Stephanie puts that in me.
But, you know, we've been there.
The machine is showing deception.
You don't believe it.
That is hilarious.
Guys.
Do you think the earth is actually flat?
No.
She may be telling the truth.
What in the fuck do you think I am?
Do you want to try asking her again?
Okay, do you think the earth is actually flat?
No.
What is around?
I think you were still thinking about the moon landing when you asked this question.
Yeah, I'm thinking about a lot of things.
Is the Illuminati real?
I don't know.
She is being truthful.
Do you believe in aliens?
Yes.
What about ghosts?
Yes.
You seem popular in our film.
Did you ever get any work done to make yourself feel more popular?
To my face?
To physical appearance?
Yes, I'm going to ask all the questions.
Oh, thank goodness.
Did you get your nose done?
No.
Did you get a boob job?
No.
Did you get a facelift?
Can you imagine?
No, not yet.
I'm open.
Truthful.
Wait, and go back to the other one.
Nose lift?
She's telling the truth.
There we go.
This is the best day of my life.
Okay.
Take that, you YouTube people.
Ready?
Yes.
Did you get a fox eye lift?
No, but I discovered it through people who thought I did and I said thank you.
Yeah.
She's telling the truth.
There we go.
What about a chin implant?
How do they do that?
No.
I've had fillers in various places and Botox, but I stopped like four years ago.
Yes, we know, yeah.
And that is the extent.
But also, like, in full support of all people who do these things, work.
Whatever makes women, men, non-gender conforming people feel beautiful should be allowed.
Why do we care?
Anyway, what's next?
I want to keep going.
Keep bringing more.
Ari, have you gone to BBL?
Get the fuck out of here.
Yes.
She's being deceptive.
Of course.
Yes.
Would you?
I should go back.
Okay, more.
No.
No, that wouldn't work for me.
I don't think that's my thing.
No.
And I'm okay with that, you know?
No.
Ariana, are you a good witch or a bad witch?
Ooh, complicated question.
Kind of the story of the film.
I think there's no such thing as a good witch or a bad witch.
I think we're all multi-dimensional, beautiful, complex beings that have goodness and wickedness within them.
Final question.
Did you lie at any point during this lie detector test and we didn't catch you?
No.
She's telling the truth.
There you go.
This was the best day of my life.
Well done.
I've wanted this for so long.
Are you ready for this?
I don't know.
I mean, technically this goes with my outfit, I will say.
Cynthia.
Yes.
I'm going to ask you a few questions to get a baseline.
Please answer honestly.
Is your name Cynthia Erivo?
Yes, but I have many other names in between.
What are they?
Cynthia Chinasoku Onyedemonazu Amarachoku Uezoke Echimuna Erivo.
Stunning.
Perpetua also because that's my confirmation name.
Confirmation.
Yes.
Are you from London, England?
Yes.
Are you ready to take the lie detector test?
I have no idea.
We are ready.
The machine has been calibrated.
Okay, let's get started.
Okay.
You won an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony for your performance in Broadway's The Color Purple.
Are you aware that you are one award away from an EGOT?
Yes.
Do you know where all of your awards are right now?
Yes.
Where are they?
Yes.
On my bookshelf.
Be honest.
Is there such a thing as a fun awards show?
Yes.
Truly.
She's telling the truth.
The Tonys are usually my favorite.
It feels like I get to meet up with all the friends that I haven't seen for a long time, and theater's where I started, so that's always really fun to be at.
Is hosting an awards show the worst possible gig?
No.
I really want to do it.
Oh, you do?
Yes.
Okay, next question.
Oh, yeah.
Fabulous.
I'd like to host the Tonys at some point.
Let's do it.
Was that the truth?
Truthful.
Is Defying Gravity the hardest song you've ever had to sing?
No.
What is?
I'm Here.
Vocally or emotionally?
Both.
I'm going to be the Capricorn that's going to be very, very controlled, freaky, and be like, did I tell you?
Yeah.
Having Stephanie there is very...
Reassuring.
It's nice.
Yeah.
That may have delivered most of the thing to you.
Okay.
You said in 2021, in an interview, that this person gave you the best advice.
Yes.
Which is that you're allowed to say no.
Would you ever say no to her?
I'm not sure.
Nine times out of ten, I'm probably going to say yes.
Even if the advice is, you should say no, I would go yes.
What if she asked you to rob a bank?
I would probably say yes.
Fine.
Am I telling the truth?
Truthful.
What's up?
Let's go.
Would you ask me to be your accomplice?
No.
Why?
Because I think you would freak out.
Why would I freak out?
I love a mission.
You do love a mission.
I'll be in the car.
I could come in the car.
You know what?
I'm going to take that back.
I'll hold your gummies.
Your vitamin gummies.
I know that you're down.
I'm down.
I'm down as fuck.
You are.
I might not do much.
That's actually for real.
But I'll be there for you.
You will.
Okay.
Fine.
Okay.
You've had more than 25 concerts in your career.
Have you ever forgotten lyrics while on stage?
Absolutely.
What song?
I think I forgot lyrics in Don't Rain on My Parade.
That was interesting.
I don't think it matters when you sound like that.
Thanks.
You know what I mean?
Yeah.
Thank you.
Have you ever considered...
Oh, come on.
We know the answer to this.
Have you ever considered phoning it in and lip syncing?
Never.
Yeah, no.
It really upsets me.
I'm really...
And I don't actually think I'm good at it.
I can't convey what I want to convey if I'm lip syncing.
Of course not.
And I think it's a real skill.
I just don't think I have it.
She's telling the truth.
That is a silly question.
It's just silly.
Moving on.
Do you still get nervous before a show?
Yes.
Have you...
Ooh.
Has any actor or singer left you starstruck?
Kendrick Lamar.
He left me starstruck.
I thought he was exquisite.
She's being truthful.
We've been traveling a lot together recently.
Would you consider yourself a good traveler?
Yes.
Do you have any bizarre travel superstitions?
Not superstitions.
I have things that I like to do before I travel and things that I like to take with me when I'm traveling.
But no superstitions.
When we get to our hotel rooms, do you have any weird habits?
I don't think it's a weird habit.
I unpack and move in.
Yes.
Even if it's for a day.
Yeah.
I'm moving in.
Do you clean the whole room before you touch anything?
No.
Will you stay on the 13th floor?
What's the 13th floor?
I don't fucking know.
I'm staying on the 13th floor.
If the room is good on the 13th floor, I'm staying on the 13th floor.
I'm dying.
We're good.
Yeah.
Cynthia, is it true you once ran a half marathon and then performed in two Broadway shows the same night?
Yes.
Are you sure you're human?
No.
Truthful.
Do you ever have extremely lazy days after days like that?
Not really.
What is the longest you've binge-watched something in a day?
The longest?
Mm-hmm.
As in hours?
Yeah, like in a day.
I mean, I've watched something for a whole day, but sometimes it's just on in the background.
I have a couple of hours where I'm alert and paying attention, but I've watched a series in a day.
What series?
Gossip Girl.
Absolutely.
The old school version.
Yes.
Yeah.
You recently celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts with this person.
Yes.
Were you nervous to meet him?
No.
Did you curtsy?
Yes.
Did you practice your curtsy?
No.
Inconclusive.
Did I?
Well, you know why?
It's because I didn't practice, but they kept talking about it, so they made us do a curtsy so they could see it.
But I knew how to curtsy because I've done it a thousand times before.
I curtsy during my shows.
That's how I bow.
Did you watch back your curtsy to make sure you did it correctly?
No.
Is there even a video of the curtsy?
Have you ever misspoke at a high-stakes event like that?
I don't think so.
I can't see it.
No.
She's telling the truth.
Okay.
Cynthia, you are a Capricorn and like to follow the world of astrology, yes?
Yes.
Occasionally.
Would you say you exhibit a lot of Capricorn traits?
Absolutely.
So you consider yourself ambitious?
Yes.
A trailblazer?
Yes.
Mischievous?
Yes.
Would you say you are a woman who demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T?
You know what?
Yeah.
Do you know what my astrology chart is?
I didn't research it.
By heart.
Come on.
Pisces, yes.
I'm kidding.
I'm kidding.
I'm joking.
I should have researched it.
I really wanted to, too.
We have each other on CoStar.
Yes.
But I don't know what anything says.
But I wanted to research it.
I wanted to look for it.
See, this is a Capricorn coming through.
Mike, I'm Capricorn rising.
That I didn't know, actually.
That's good.
Yeah.
Can we do some rapid-fire questions?
Yes.
Do you think the moon landing was fake?
No, I don't.
She's telling the truth.
What was I then?
I don't think it was fucking fake either.
I think that video, you don't think that video was a little like, you know.
No, I've never ever questioned it.
Because so many people have been to the moon since then.
But that's what I'm saying.
But then why aren't there more videos like that?
I don't know.
But I don't think it's fake, though.
I don't think it is either.
Am I gullible?
I don't know why Stephanie fucked me up like that.
She really got me.
Oh, God, the whole world's going to think that I think that.
No.
And I'm from Florida.
You know what I mean?
No.
This is a nightmare.
This is a nightmare.
Listen, half of the world thinks that it didn't happen.
Some of the world thinks it did.
But I think it happened.
You're missing the point.
I know it happened.
It's okay.
Let me help.
Ariana Grande believes that the moon landing is real.
Of course I do.
It happened.
This is just a machine thing.
Okay?
She believes what I believe.
All right.
Do you think the Earth is actually flat?
The Earth is flat?
No.
Is the Illuminati real?
I think they are.
Do you know?
No.
I don't know anyone in there.
Does she know?
She's telling the truth.
And don't you even think that that's because I'm a part of it.
Because I know some of you are going to do that nonsense.
Okay?
I wish we had more time.
Yes.
Here with Stephanie, but also on Earth.
Yeah.
Anyway, do you believe in aliens?
Yes.
Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes.
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
I think I'm a combination of both.
Because that's what makes us human.
I think that's what makes us interesting.
But I think I'm more good than bad.
Like I think you're more good than bad.
We love you.
I love you.
That made me emotional.
I don't know why.
Because, you know, we see it in each other.
We see the truth.
Right, Steph?
Correct.
Okay, final question.
Did you lie at any point during this lie detector test and we didn't catch you?
No.
She's telling the truth.
Great work, ladies.
Yay.
Yay.
Yay.
I think we did fucking great.
That was excellent.