Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivered a memorable performance during the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, kick-starting the evening with a musical tribute to The Wizard of Oz and Wicked.
The opening number failed not to impress the audience, filling them with a sense of nostalgia through thunderous vocals to which they were awarded a standing ovation. This heartfelt tribute to Los Angeles, which was still reeling from the fires, was then followed by Grande, who performed a delicate version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow wearing a ruby-red gown.
Erivo then came on stage wearing a beautiful white floral dress and performed a beautiful version of Home from The Wiz. They sang Defying Gravity together, painting a picture of vocal chemistry and drama that left the audience gawking.
Over the last several weeks, Grand and Erivo’s sun-shining premiere at the Oscars has coincided with Wicked’s box office might. Grossing over $700 million worldwide since it was released in November 2024, the film has become the highest-grossing musical adaptation in history.
The film received ten nominations for the Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Grande. Although the songs from the musical were ruled out for consideration in the Best Original Song category, Wicked has been included for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score.
Michelle Yeoh, Madame Morrible in Wicked, was heard sniffling through tears while singing Defying Gravity, marking the performance’s emotional level. Most viewers, including the prominent actors and filmmakers, reacted enthusiastically, knowing that the songs were culturally representative.
Aside from Wicked, the 2025 Oscars brought about some memorable moments, such as Adam Sandler’s playful arrival in a laid-back outfit and Kieran Culkin’s touching speech on his wishes for additional children.
The ceremony also saw a rather confusing James Bond tribute, a Hulu outage that was frustrating for viewers, and a comedic cameo by the Los Angeles Fire Department reading scripted one-liners on stage. Also, June Squibb won over fans with her wit, and Morgan Freeman presided over a touching tribute to deceased Gene Hackman.
As Wicked looks to its sequel, Wicked: For Good, which comes out on November 21, 2025, anticipation does not abate. Director Jon M. Chu has teased the sequel will contain original music missing from the Broadway show, which Erivo helped co-write in one of the songs, and this could be a step in the direction for her toward a future Oscar nomination.
The Oscars not only featured the talent of Wicked’s leading ladies but also cemented the musical’s timeless appeal. Grande and Erivo’s act will forever be etched in Oscar history as one of the most enchanting moments, a testament to their artistry and the film’s influence on viewers across the globe.
