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\nJada Pinkett Smith told Harper’s Bazaar in its November 2025 cover story that she has “been checking in on [Cynthia Erivo] a lot” since striking up a friendship with the actress\u201cA lot of times, it\u2019s difficult if you haven\u2019t been through something like that, being popped into stardom in a certain manner,” Pinkett Smith told the outletErivo said she also keeps in touch with women like Oprah Winfrey, Debbie Allen, Whoopi Goldberg and Gayle King for advice on life in the spotlight<\/p>\n
Jada Pinkett Smith<\/a> is opening up about her friendship with Cynthia Erivo<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Pinkett Smith, 54, told Harper’s Bazaar<\/a> in its November cover story on Erivo, 38, that she considers the Wicked: For Good star a “dear sister.” She added that she’s been keeping an eye on the younger actress as she navigates the difficulties of fame.\n<\/p>\n “I\u2019ve been checking in on her a lot,\u201d Smith told the outlet. According to Harper’s Bazaar, the award-winning singer and actress also keeps in touch with women like Oprah Winfrey<\/a>, Debbie Allen<\/a>, Whoopi Goldberg<\/a> and Gayle King<\/a> for advice on living life in the spotlight.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of times, it\u2019s difficult if you haven\u2019t been through something like that, being popped into stardom in a certain manner,” Pinkett Smith added.\n<\/p>\n The former Red Table Talk host, who has been married<\/a> to Will Smith<\/a> since 1997, also told the outlet that she helps Erivo recognize “what’s important” while working in Hollywood: “Really nourishing the truth within you, and recognizing the beauty and the power that you possess, and, you know, not looking to others to buoy you up in a certain manner, because that\u2019s a big trap.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Cynthia Erivo and Jada Pinkett Smith on Feb. 27, 2022.<\/p>\n Dimitrios Kambouris\/Getty\u00a0<\/p>\n Jada notably presented\u00a0Erivo with an award at the Los Angeles LGBT Center Gala<\/a> back in May 2024, saying that the tribute “celebrates those of us whose star burns brightly enough so that others may dare to shine<\/a>.\u201d\n<\/p>\n During Erivo’s speech at that event, she thanked Jada for “showing up so often for me,” adding, “I am in awe of you and your capacity to see people in all their fullness.”\n<\/p>\n She continued, adding, “And the power you have to encourage me to personally keep mining for the deepest parts of myself is unmatched.”<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.\n<\/p>\n Jada Pinkett Smith and Cynthia Erivo on May 18, 2024.<\/p>\n Araya Doheny\/Getty Images\u00a0<\/p>\n Jada was also one of many celebrities to share their applause for Erivo’s performance in Wicked when it debuted in theaters last November.\n<\/p>\n “Cynthia you are such a special being and your performance in this movie illuminates what a phenomenal artist you are,” she wrote in an Instagram post<\/a>. “I\u2019m glad the world finally has an opportunity to seeee. Keep shining Beautiful!!!”\n<\/p>\n Wicked: For Good hits in theaters Nov. 21. Jada, for her part, last appeared on the screen in 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections and in one episode of Queen Latifah’s The Equalizer in 2022; she also provided narration for Netflix’s Queen Cleopatra miniseries in 2023.<\/p>\n