Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo’s Oscar Performance Has Changed Us for Good

Let us be glad, let us be grateful: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo just performed a stunning Wicked-inspired medley at the Oscars last night. The duo opened the ceremony with Grande starting off with 'Over the Rainbow' from The Wizard of Oz, wearing a ruby-red dress referencing Dorothy’s iconic shoes, and Erivo followed with 'Home' from The Wiz. Grande then returned to the stage to join Erivo in a rendition of 'Defying Gravity' from Wicked, ending with Erivo belting the iconic riff live, flawlessly.

The two wowed audiences — and nearly brought them to tears — both in the Dolby Theater and at home. Grande and Erivo, who are nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress, respectively, put their vocals on full display (the mics were absolutely on) through their set. Though they didn’t fly off in a bubble or on a broomstick, they still embodied pure magic.

Watch a few clips below.

Wicked was nominated for 10 Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture, Best Costume Design (Paul Tazewell) and Best Original Score (John Powell and Stephen Schwartz). It was not eligible for Best Original Song because the songs in the movie were already established before the film, as Wicked the stage musical premiered in 2003.

Speculation of a Wicked performance at the Oscars bubbled up in early February, when Matthew Belloni reported the possibility in his Puck newsletter, What I’m Hearing. At the time, Grande shrugged off the rumours telling IndieWire, 'I don’t know either, I’m at a loss. But it would be really fun! We will have our pink and green thermoses filled with throat coat tea....In case, we’ll be ready. But I know nothing.' Smooth, Ari.

We’ll of course be seeing more of Grande and Erivo (as Glinda and Elphaba) when the sequel, Wicked: For Good, hits cinemas later this year on November 21. Fingers crossed this means they’ll be back at the Oscars in 2026.

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