Ariana-Cynthia bring 'Wicked' magic to open Oscars 2025
What's the story
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo mesmerized the stage at the 2025 Oscars with a spellbinding medley of songs from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked. The duo sang classics like Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Home, and Defying Gravity. Grande, dressed in a glittering red Schiaparelli dress, and Erivo, in a white gown with floral appliques, were given standing ovations for their performance.
Oscar nominations
'Wicked' dominates Oscar nominations, stars express gratitude
Wicked, helmed by Jon M. Chu, received 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects. Grande is nominated for Best Supporting Actress, while Erivo is nominated for Best Actress. Grande took to social media to express her joy: "Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition." Erivo said, "Rare moments like this make me grateful to do something meaningful that makes people feel seen."
Ceremony highlights
Oscars 2025: A night of performances and nominations
Unlike previous years, the Oscars ceremony didn't have performances of nominees for Best Original Song this year. Instead, the stage was graced by performers like Queen Latifah, Doja Cat, Lisa from Blackpink, and British singer Raye. Hosted by Conan O'Brien, the event is currently ongoing at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Some of the most nominated films include Wicked, Netflix's Emilia Perez, and A24's The Brutalist.
Upcoming release
'Wicked: For Good' set to debut in November
Wicked: For Good, the sequel to the musical adaptation of the Broadway sensation, is set to hit theaters on November 21. This comes after Wicked, which starred Grande and Erivo as Glinda and Elphaba, took the world by storm.