Cynthia Erivo, the Tony Award-winning actress, is having quite the moment, receiving significant praise as the rollout of Wicked continues, and she perhaps has received the greatest compliments and support from her long-rumored partner, Lena Waithe. The TV creator, actress and writer took to social media with posts supporting Erivo and the film, resharing many of Erivo’s behind-the-scenes pictures and clips to her Instagram stories.

More than just on social media, however, Waithe has shown up to support Erivo in person. The “Master of None” star also showed up to the Los Angeles premiere of the film, walking the red carpet in a green suit. Not to mention, Waithe has also appeared at various events with Erivo throughout the year, including the US Open Tennis Championships and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures gala alongside Erivo’s Wicked co-stars.

Erivo and Waithe have long been paired, and we’re breaking down all of the rumors and myths we know about the two.

A Met Gala Meeting

The first time the two met was at fashion’s biggest night: The Met Gala. She told Variety in 2020. “I had seen her in The Color Purple twice, I remember seeing her on TV when Oprah talked about doing it and her being on the screen, I remember [thinking], ‘Who is this tiny person with a British accent?’ We’ve just been vibing ever since.”

They both have shared tributes to each other online, including Erivo, who first wrote of Waithe in an Instagram post when they met in 2018. She wrote in the caption, “I finally found my sis. Lena you are absolutely everything. You are perfection. What a meeting of minds, glad to have you in my life! Stuck like glue !!! SHINE QUEEN SHINE!!”

Romance Speculation

Rumors regarding a romance between the two kicked off in 2020, and in 2022 photos of the two seen holding hands surfaced online. As Page Six reported at the time the two attended Alvin Ailey Spirit Gala together, taking separate pictures on the carpet but then holding hands as they entered the event.

Erivo also shared a birthday post for Waithe in 2022, which fueled more rumors. She wrote at the time, “Today is when we celebrate a woman whose heart is bigger than the body that houses it. Happy birthday @lenawaithe I ……. You know the rest! 💕💕.”

Waithe’s Divorce and Timeline Speculation

There have long been rumors regarding the timeline of Waithe’s relationship with Erivo. As we mentioned, Waithe met Erivo in 2018 at the Met Gala, but tied the knot with her ex Alana Mayo in 2019. Mayo eventually filed for divorce from Waithe in 2020, as Page Six reported, which is the same year Erivo and Waithe dating rumors began.

Naturally, rumors have since followed the two, with many questioning when exactly Waithe began dating Erivo in the wave of her split from Mayo. Still, this is all just speculation, as nothing has been confirmed in regards to any infidelity, and Waithe and Erivo did not begin posting with each other until 2022.