October cover stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo take Vanity Fair's infamous lie detector test. Who is Ariana's favorite collaborator thus far? Does Cynthia actually enjoy attending award shows? Has Ariana gotten any work done to her face? Does Cynthia ever have lazy days? Does Ariana think the moon landing was fake? Did Cynthia practice her curtsy before meeting King Charles?
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Do you think the moon landing was fake?
00:02No!
00:03We're picking up some deception here.
00:05That's hilarious! That's hilarious!
00:08Do you think the moon landing is fake?
00:10No, not till now! Not till Stephanie put that in me!
00:13We've been talking about this for over a year.
00:16I said this in the Emerald City.
00:18I said one day we're going to do the Vanity Fair lie detector test together.
00:20And I said we needed to finish the film first.
00:23Ariana. Cynthia.
00:25We've brought you here today to take a lie detector test.
00:28One of you will be hooked up to the machine,
00:30while the other will ask the questions.
00:32And then you'll switch.
00:35Who wants to be in the hot seat first?
00:37Oh, that was quick!
00:39Go ahead!
00:40Why not?
00:41Sure!
00:42I feel like, why not?
00:43Ari's ready.
00:48The eye's closing.
00:49Can it feel my general anxiety?
00:51It can, that's what it's all about.
00:53Cool. Oh, fuck me.
00:59Ariana?
01:00Yeah?
01:01I'm going to ask you a few questions to calibrate the lie detector.
01:03Is your full name Ariana Grande Butera?
01:06Yes.
01:07Were you born on June the 26th?
01:10Yes.
01:11Are you nervous?
01:12Absolutely.
01:13That I'm beaming, like, in the best way.
01:17Ariana, you have seven albums and two Grammys.
01:21Would you say you have a perfect work ethic?
01:24I would say I'm a very hard worker.
01:26I wouldn't say there's such a thing as perfect work ethic at all.
01:30I think I'm a workaholic, so I wouldn't say perfect.
01:32I think I have, like, maybe an unhealthy relationship to it.
01:35That thing's probably scribbling fucking X's and O's over there.
01:38Truthful.
01:39Wow.
01:40The next question here is, have you ever called yourself a workaholic?
01:42Oh, yes. Moments ago.
01:44Do you ever take vacations?
01:46I have taken vacations.
01:49In my life.
01:51Truthful.
01:52I would like to go on one again.
01:55You are a huge fan of Disney World.
01:58Yes.
01:59Would you ever go on a Disney cruise to relax?
02:01No.
02:03No, I think there's a line that we draw.
02:06I know that was the truth.
02:07Also, just, I think maybe I'm not a cruise person in general.
02:12Ariana, you have a very dedicated fan base.
02:14Would you say you love your fans?
02:16Very much.
02:17Yes?
02:18Truthful.
02:19Do you love them all the time?
02:22I love them always, but I think sometimes they can hurt my feelings.
02:29And sometimes I don't like them, but I love them always.
02:34Does that make sense?
02:35Yes.
02:36She's being truthful.
02:37Girl, I love you.
02:38That was such a sweet answer.
02:40I love you so much.
02:42It's a hard relationship.
02:43I know.
02:44I think that sort of, like, weirdly parasocial, but it feels very real to me.
02:49So sometimes it's hard, but I love them very much.
02:51Have you ever DM'd a fan just to chat?
02:54Yeah.
02:55Oh, yeah.
02:56All the time.
02:57Yeah.
02:58What about befriended a fan?
03:00Yes, it's happened.
03:02Okay.
03:03Three times.
03:05That's very specific.
03:06Very close, like seven to 12 years of friendship at this point.
03:11Your fans are called Arianators.
03:14Did you come up with that name?
03:16No.
03:17Do you like it?
03:18No.
03:19The machine is picking up some deception.
03:21I don't like it.
03:22I mean, I've accepted it.
03:24Yeah.
03:25But would I pick that?
03:26Of course not.
03:27That's insane.
03:29She is being truthful.
03:30Thank you, Stephanie.
03:31The thing is, you know I can tell when she's telling the truth,
03:33because she gets the look of concern on her face.
03:36You know how people have resting bitch face?
03:38Yes.
03:39I have resting constant fret face.
03:41Truly.
03:42That's what my mom says.
03:43You're very interested in astrology.
03:45Do you ever make rash judgments based on people's signs?
03:48No, I try not to, because I think within each sign,
03:52there are many different kinds of each.
03:55Truthful?
03:56Truthful.
03:57Did you look up if we were compatible before we started working together?
04:00No.
04:02That was a lie.
04:03It was a lie?
04:04I think I looked up your sign,
04:06but I didn't look up compatibility because I have Capricorn friends.
04:08I know the compatibility well.
04:10Stephanie.
04:12Stephanie.
04:14Stephanie.
04:15Inconclusive.
04:16But I definitely looked up your sign.
04:18Yeah.
04:19I don't know if I looked up compatibility because I know Capricorns.
04:21Can you tell that I'm nervous?
04:23The machine's giving an indication of some nervousness.
04:26Well, yeah, I need a glass of wine.
04:28Yeah.
04:29This is crazy.
04:30Red, please.
04:31This is insane.
04:32Before we finish.
04:33This isn't going where I thought it would go.
04:34But I like it.
04:35What else is there?
04:36You are famously known for doing celebrity impersonations.
04:38Hi.
04:39Has anyone ever confronted you about an impersonation?
04:42As in, like, they didn't like it?
04:44Mm.
04:45Ooh.
04:47No, I don't think so.
04:48No.
04:49That would be terrible.
04:50Truthful.
04:53Have you ever confronted anyone who's impersonated you?
04:56No.
04:57Have you ever wanted to?
04:59Yes.
05:01In a fun way.
05:02Yeah.
05:03You're a huge fan of Drag Race.
05:04Would you want to see this person perform as you?
05:07Absolutely.
05:08Anytime, anyplace.
05:09I'm a massive Gottmik stan.
05:11Which song?
05:12I don't know.
05:13Gottmik devours everything.
05:14The Boy Is Mine or, like, something emotional.
05:18Be honest.
05:19Was being a guest judge on Drag Race harder than The Voice?
05:23Hmm.
05:24I wouldn't say one was harder than the other.
05:27Just different.
05:28Yep.
05:29Truthful.
05:30Love you.
05:31You've released almost a dozen perfume lines.
05:33Do you exclusively wear your own perfume?
05:36I'd say, like, 99.9% of the time, yes.
05:38Would you say it's the best perfume you've ever used?
05:42I have my favorites, but yeah.
05:44I would say that.
05:46Truthful.
05:47Ariana, who is the best-smelling celebrity you've ever met?
05:50You.
05:51Us.
05:52That's the fun thing.
05:53We both waft down the hall so we can tell when one is coming to set.
05:57No one even has to check or ask.
05:59It says not yourself and not me.
06:01I've never met anyone else.
06:02Okay.
06:03This is it.
06:05She's being truthful.
06:06That's it.
06:07That's it.
06:09In his lie detector test, Troye Sivan said that you were one of his favorite collaborators of all time.
06:14You've collaborated with so many legends.
06:16Do you think you could choose your favorite?
06:18Was it this person?
06:20Mariah is the queen of my life.
06:23I think I have to say you.
06:25Why did I know you were going to say that?
06:27Because it's like, this is a very unique thing that we got to do.
06:32And singing face-to-face together and hearing your voice in my ears, my raw ears, and your raw voice,
06:39is like the best thing that's ever happened to me in my life.
06:41I mean, obviously Mariah, but obviously you.
06:44Can't we have a tie?
06:47She's telling the truth.
06:48I know.
06:49You will make me cry.
06:50It's the truth.
06:52Is there anyone you haven't yet collaborated with that you want to?
06:55Is it this person?
06:57Oh my goodness!
06:59But haven't you collaborated?
07:00We have secretly collaborated.
07:04We sang every song in the Great American Songbook together.
07:06This is true.
07:07Every day.
07:08You once said you're not easily embarrassed.
07:10Do you still stand by that?
07:11I think I meant when I said that I was talking about when I was a young girl.
07:16Like when I was young, I used to not be very embarrassable because I was just like,
07:20you know, I think it was when I was younger that I meant.
07:23Have you ever watched an old interview of yours and cringed?
07:26Oh, absolutely.
07:27And I'll do that with this one.
07:30I'm sure.
07:31Absolutely.
07:32What about your past performances?
07:34Cursed.
07:35Cursed?
07:36Yeah.
07:37Leave it.
07:38Why does everything have to be there forever, you know?
07:42But like in a loving way.
07:43Like I embrace, I celebrate what once was.
07:46But wow.
07:48Ho, you know?
07:50What emotion comes up when you see this?
07:54Oh my goodness.
07:57We look like babies.
07:59Where are we?
08:00I have no idea.
08:01I actually think it's very sweet.
08:03I had a really hard time in the beginning with my red hair.
08:08And I think I felt very pretty.
08:12Oh, this day.
08:15Shit.
08:16Okay.
08:17Yes, this was before I learned that I should have straight eyebrows and not Satan's arch.
08:22So this was before that.
08:23And this was two noses ago for Frankie.
08:26So it's beautiful.
08:27And 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.
08:34But it's emotional to see.
08:36You have an album called Dangerous Woman.
08:38Can I ask you some rapid fire dangerous questions?
08:40Holy, yeah.
08:41Do you think the moon landing was fake?
08:43Jesus Christ.
08:45What do you take me for?
08:48No.
08:49No.
08:50Inconclusive.
08:51That's what I'm saying.
08:52That's hilarious.
08:53That's hilarious.
08:55Do you think the moon landing is fake?
08:57No, not until now.
08:58Not until Stephanie puts that in me.
09:00But, you know, we've been there.
09:03The machine is showing deception.
09:05You don't believe it.
09:07That is hilarious.
09:10Do you think the earth is actually flat?
09:12No.
09:13She may be telling the truth.
09:15What in the fuck do you think I am?
09:17Do you want to try asking her again?
09:19Okay, do you think the earth is actually flat?
09:22No.
09:23The earth is round.
09:26I think you were still thinking about the moon landing when you asked this.
09:28Yeah, I'm thinking about a lot of things.
09:30Is the Illuminati real?
09:32I don't know.
09:34She is being truthful.
09:36Do you believe in aliens?
09:38Yes.
09:39What about ghosts?
09:40Yes.
09:41You sing popular in our film.
09:43Did you ever get any work done to make yourself feel more popular?
09:47To my face?
09:48To physical appearance?
09:49Yes, I'm going to ask all the questions.
09:50Oh, thank goodness.
09:53Did you get your nose done?
09:55No.
09:56Did you get a boob job?
09:57No.
09:58Did you get a face lift?
09:59Can you imagine? No.
10:00Not yet.
10:01I'm open.
10:03Truthful.
10:04Wait, and go back to the other one.
10:05Nose lift?
10:06She's telling the truth.
10:07There we go.
10:08This is the best day of my life.
10:09Okay.
10:10Take that, you YouTube people.
10:12Ready?
10:13Yes.
10:14Did you get a fox eye lift?
10:15No, but I discovered it through people who thought I did, and I said thank you.
10:19Yeah.
10:20She's telling the truth.
10:21There we go.
10:22What about a chin implant?
10:23How do they do that?
10:25No.
10:26I've had fillers in various places and Botox, but I stopped like four years ago.
10:30This we know, yeah.
10:31And that is the extent.
10:34But also, like, in full support of all people who do these things, work.
10:42Whatever makes women, men, non-gender conforming people feel beautiful should be allowed.
10:47Why do we care?
10:48Anyway, what's next?
10:49I want to keep going.
10:50Keep bringing more.
10:52Ari, have you gotten a BBL?
11:00Get the fuck out of here.
11:06Yes.
11:07She's being deceptive.
11:08Of course, yes.
11:09Would you?
11:10I should go back.
11:11Okay, more.
11:12No.
11:13No, that wouldn't work for me.
11:14I don't think that's my thing.
11:16No.
11:17And I'm okay with that, you know?
11:18Yeah.
11:19Ariana, are you a good witch or a bad witch?
11:22Ooh, complicated question.
11:24Kind of the story of the film.
11:26I think there's no such thing as a good witch or a bad witch.
11:29I think we're all multidimensional, beautiful, complex beings that have goodness and wickedness within them.
11:35Final question.
11:37Did you lie at any point during this lie detector test and we didn't catch you?
11:41No.
11:42She's telling the truth.
11:43There you go.
11:44This was the best day of my life.
11:46Well done.
11:47I've wanted this for so long.
11:49Are you ready for this?
11:50I don't know.
11:51I mean, technically this goes with my outfit, I will say.
11:57Cynthia.
11:58Yes.
11:59I'm going to ask you a few questions to get a baseline.
12:01Please answer honestly.
12:03Is your name Cynthia Erivo?
12:05Yes, but I have many other names in between.
12:07What are they?
12:14Stunning.
12:15Perpetua also, because that's my confirmation name.
12:18Confirmation.
12:19Yes.
12:20Are you from London, England?
12:21Yes.
12:22Are you ready to take the lie detector test?
12:24I have no idea.
12:26We are ready.
12:27The machine has been calibrated.
12:28Okay.
12:29Let's get started.
12:30Okay.
12:31You've won an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony for your performance in Broadway's The Color Purple.
12:35Are you aware that you are one award away from an EGOT?
12:38Yes.
12:39Do you know where all of your awards are right now?
12:41Yes.
12:42Where are they?
12:43They're in my office.
12:44On my bookshelf.
12:47Be honest.
12:48Is there such a thing as a fun awards show?
12:51Yes.
12:52Truly.
12:53She's telling the truth.
12:54The Tonys are usually my favorite.
12:56It feels like I get to meet up with all the friends that I haven't seen for a long time,
13:01and theater's where I started, so that's always really fun to be at.
13:05Is hosting an awards show the worst possible gig?
13:08No.
13:09I really want to do it.
13:10Oh, you do?
13:11Yes.
13:12That was my next question.
13:13Oh.
13:14Yeah.
13:15Fabulous.
13:16I'd like to host the Tonys at some point.
13:17Let's do it.
13:18Was that the truth?
13:19Truthful.
13:20Is Defying Gravity the hardest song you've ever had to sing?
13:23No.
13:24What is?
13:26I'm here.
13:27Vocally or emotionally?
13:29Both.
13:30I'm going to be the Capricorn that's going to be very, very controlled, freaky, and be like,
13:33did I tell you?
13:35Yeah.
13:36Having Stephanie there is very...
13:38Reassuring.
13:39It's nice.
13:40Yeah.
13:41I think I may have delivered most of the thing to this.
13:45Okay.
13:46You said in 2021, in an interview, that this person gave you the best advice.
13:52Yes.
13:53Which is that you're allowed to say no.
13:54Mm-hmm.
13:55Would you ever say no to her?
13:56I'm not sure.
13:57Nine times out of 10, I'm probably going to say yes, even if the advice is, you should
14:01say no.
14:02I would go, yes.
14:03What if she asked you to rob a bank?
14:05I would probably say yes.
14:06Fine.
14:07Am I telling the truth?
14:08Truthful.
14:11What's up?
14:12Let's go.
14:13Would you ask me to be your accomplice?
14:14No.
14:15Why?
14:16Because I think you would freak out.
14:17Why would I freak out?
14:18You know what?
14:19I love a mission.
14:20You do love a mission.
14:21Actually, you know what?
14:22I could come in the car.
14:23You know what?
14:24I'm going to take that back.
14:25I'll hold your gummies, your vitamin gummies.
14:26I'll take it back because I know that you're down.
14:27I'm down.
14:28I know that you're down.
14:29I'm down as fuck.
14:30You are.
14:31I might not do much.
14:32That's actually for real.
14:33But I'll be there for you.
14:34You will.
14:35Fun.
14:36Okay, true.
14:37Okay, I'll be there.
14:38Yeah, let's go.
14:39You have performed many live concerts in your career.
14:40Have you ever forgotten lyrics while on stage?
14:42Absolutely.
14:43What song?
14:44I think I forgot lyrics in Don't Rain On My Parade.
14:47That was interesting.
14:48I don't think it matters when you sound like that.
14:51Thanks.
14:52You know what I mean?
14:53Yeah, thank you.
14:54Have you ever...
14:55Oh, come on.
14:56This is...
14:57We know the answer to this.
14:58Have you ever considered phoning it in and lip syncing?
15:01Never.
15:02Yeah, no.
15:03It really upsets me.
15:04I'm really...
15:05And I don't actually think I'm good at it.
15:06I can't convey what I want to convey if I'm lip syncing.
15:08Of course not.
15:09And I think it's a real skill.
15:10I just don't think I have it.
15:12She's telling the truth.
15:13That is a silly question.
15:14This is silly.
15:15Moving on.
15:16Do you still get nervous before a show?
15:19Yes.
15:20Have you...
15:21Has any actor or singer left you starstruck?
15:25Kendrick Lamar.
15:26He left me starstruck.
15:27I thought he was exquisite.
15:29She's being truthful.
15:31We've been traveling a lot together recently.
15:33Would you consider yourself a good traveler?
15:35Yes.
15:36Do you have any bizarre travel superstitions?
15:38Not superstitions.
15:40I have, like, things that I like to do before I travel
15:43and things that I like to take with me when I'm traveling.
15:46But no superstitions.
15:47When we get to our hotel rooms, do you have any weird habits?
15:50I don't think it's a weird habit.
15:51I unpack and move in.
15:53Yes.
15:54Even if it's for a day.
15:55Yeah.
15:56I'm moving in.
15:57Do you clean the whole room before you touch anything?
15:59No.
16:00Will you stay on the 13th floor?
16:02What's the 13th floor?
16:04I don't fucking know.
16:06I'm staying on the 13th floor.
16:07If the room is good on the 13th floor, I'm staying on the 13th floor.
16:11I'm dying.
16:12Yeah, we're good.
16:13Yeah.
16:14Cynthia, is it true you once ran a half marathon
16:17and then performed in two Broadway shows the same night?
16:20Yes.
16:21Are you sure you're human?
16:22No.
16:24Truthful.
16:25Do you ever have extremely lazy days after days like that?
16:28Not really.
16:30What is the longest you've binge-watched something in a day?
16:34The longest?
16:36As in hours?
16:37Yeah, like in a day.
16:41I mean, I've watched something for a whole day.
16:45But sometimes it's just on in the background.
16:48I have a couple of hours where I'm alert and paying attention,
16:52but I've watched a series in a day.
16:56What series?
16:57Gossip Girl.
16:58Absolutely.
16:59Old school version.
17:00Yes.
17:01Yeah.
17:02You recently celebrated the 120th anniversary of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
17:06with this person.
17:08Yes.
17:09Were you nervous to meet him?
17:10No.
17:11Did you curtsy?
17:12Yes.
17:13Did you practice your curtsy?
17:14No.
17:15Inconclusive.
17:16Did I?
17:17Well, you know why?
17:18It's because I didn't practice, but they kept talking about it,
17:20so they made us do a curtsy so they could see it.
17:24But I knew how to curtsy because I've done it a thousand times before.
17:27I curtsy during my shows.
17:29That's how I bow.
17:30Did you watch back your curtsy to make sure you did it correctly?
17:35No.
17:36Is there even a video of the curtsy?
17:40Have you ever misspoke at a high-stakes event like that?
17:43I don't think so.
17:45I can't see it.
17:46No.
17:47She's telling the truth.
17:48Okay, Cynthia, you are a Capricorn and like to follow the world of astrology, yes?
17:53Yes.
17:54Occasionally.
17:55Would you say you exhibit a lot of Capricorn traits?
17:58Absolutely.
17:59So you consider yourself ambitious?
18:01Yes.
18:02A trailblazer?
18:03Yes.
18:04Mischievous?
18:05Yes.
18:06Would you say you are a woman who demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T?
18:11You know what?
18:15Yeah.
18:16Do you know what my astrology chart is?
18:19I didn't research it.
18:21By heart.
18:22Come on.
18:23Pisces, yes.
18:24I'm kidding.
18:25I'm kidding.
18:26I'm joking.
18:27I should have researched it.
18:28I really wanted to, too.
18:29We have each other on CoStar.
18:30Yes.
18:31But I don't know what anything says.
18:32But I wanted to research it.
18:34I wanted to look for it.
18:35See, this is a Capricorn coming through.
18:36Mike, I'm Capricorn rising.
18:37That I didn't know, actually.
18:38That's good.
18:39Yeah.
18:40Can we do some rapid fire questions?
18:41Yes.
18:42Do you think the moon landing was fake?
18:45No, I don't.
18:47She's telling the truth.
18:48What was I then?
18:49I don't think it was fucking fake either.
18:52I think that video, you don't think that video was a little like, you know.
18:55No, I've never ever questioned it.
18:57Because so many people have been to the moon since then.
18:59But that's what I'm saying.
19:00But then why aren't there more videos like that?
19:02I don't know.
19:03But I don't think it's fake, though.
19:04I don't think it is either.
19:05Am I gullible?
19:06I don't know why Stephanie fucked me up like that.
19:08She really got me.
19:11Oh, God.
19:12The whole world's going to think that I think that.
19:14No.
19:15And I'm from Florida.
19:16You know what I mean?
19:17No.
19:18This is a nightmare.
19:19This is a nightmare.
19:20Listen.
19:21Half of the world thinks that it didn't happen.
19:22Some of the world thinks it did.
19:23But I think it happened.
19:25You're missing the point.
19:28I know it happened.
19:30It's OK.
19:32Let me help.
19:34Ariana Grande believes that the moon landing is real.
19:39Of course I do.
19:40It happened.
19:42This is just a machine thing.
19:44OK?
19:45She believes what I believe.
19:47All right.
19:48Do you think the Earth is actually flat?
19:50The Earth is flat?
19:51No.
19:52Is the Illuminati real?
19:54I think they are.
19:55Do you know?
19:56No.
19:57I don't know anyone in there.
19:59Does she know?
20:00She's telling the truth.
20:01Don't you even think that that's because I'm a part of it.
20:06Because I know some of you are going to do that nonsense.
20:09OK?
20:10I wish we had more time.
20:12Yes.
20:13Here with Stephanie, but also on Earth.
20:15On Earth, yeah.
20:16Anyway, do you believe in aliens?
20:18Yes.
20:19Do you believe in ghosts?
20:20Yes.
20:21Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
20:22I think I'm a combination of both.
20:25Because that's what makes us human.
20:27Yeah.
20:28I think that's what makes us interesting.
20:30I'm more good than bad.
20:31Like, I think you're more good than bad.
20:33We love you.
20:34I love you.
20:35That made me emotional.
20:36I don't know why.
20:37Because, you know, we see it in each other.
20:40We see the truth.
20:41Yeah.
20:42Right, Steph?
20:43Correct.
20:44OK, final question.
20:46Did you lie at any point during this lie detector test and we didn't catch you?
20:50No.
20:51She's telling the truth.
20:52Great work, ladies.
20:53Yay.
20:54Yay.
20:55Yay.
20:56I think we did fucking great.
20:57That was excellent.