Last year, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought beloved witches Glinda and Elphaba to life with the long-awaited theatrical release of Wicked. Based on the 2003 musical (which is loosely based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 book) Wicked reimagines a slightly less wonderful world in the Wizard of Oz universe. Although no songs were eligible for tonight’s Oscar awards, that didn’t stop co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from putting on a spectacular show.
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Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Give Gravity-Defying Performance at the Oscars
Cynthia Erivo is vying for Best Actress at tonight’s Oscars, while Ariana Grande is up for Best Supporting Actress. And while the ladies’ acting was certainly something to behold, it’s the music that makes Wicked. And it’s these incredibly talented women who make the music.
Taking the stage Sunday (March 2) at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre for the 97th Annual Academy Awards, the friends and co-stars delivered a glorious performance of “Defying Gravity.”
Full performance of “Defying Gravity” by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/h9flMlgiVI
— Wicked News Hub (@wickednewshub) March 3, 2025
Grande also performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.
Ariana Grande performing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” at the #Oscars
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 3, 2025
See the full winners list: https://t.co/cDPncK6OIM pic.twitter.com/EUnS4K4vrN
Nothing lends itself more to the pomp and circumstances of the Oscars than Wicked, with its messages of social justice, impeccable singing, and gaudy costumes. And as usual, Grande and Erivo were a force to be reckoned with, both together and separately.
Erivo, 38, is seeking the O in EGOT tonight with her Best Actress nod. The British actress already has the Emmy and the Tony, both for her role as Celie in The Color Purple. She also took home the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album alongside her castmates.
Two-time Grammy winner Ariana Grande also scored Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA nods for her role as Glinda.
Why Is ‘Wicked’s’ Music Not Eligible for the Oscars?
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s incredible performance at tonight’s Oscars may have some wondering: Why is nothing from the Wicked soundtrack up for an award?
The answer is actually quite simple. Since Wicked is an adaptation of an already existing Broadway musical, none of the songs are original. Therefore, they do not qualify for the Best Original Song category.
However, the film’s music could still win tonight, as Wicked is nominated for Best Original Score.
Featured image by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images
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