The 2025 Oscars kicked off with a stunning performance by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, bringing their Wicked co-star Michelle Yeoh to tears. The duo has been making headlines for their unique sisterly bond, both on-screen as Glinda and Elphaba, and off-screen.
Ariana previously spoke about her love for musical theater on the Las Culturistas podcast, saying, “I’m gonna say something so scary — it’s gonna scare the absolute s— out of my fans and everyone, but I love them, and they’ll deal, and we’ll be here forever. I’m always going to make music, I’m always going to go on stage, I’m always going to do pop stuff, I pinky promise. But I don’t think doing it at the rate I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years is where I see the next 10 years.”
Their performance created a buzz online, and here's what they sang: a medley of Oz songs, featuring Ariana singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” followed by Cynthia with “Home,” concluding with both joining forces for “Defying Gravity.”
Ariana stuck to the Wicked theme, wearing a ruby-red dress with matching heels, channeling her inner Dorothy.
Wicked Oscar Nominations
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked earned a total of 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Visual Effects, Sound, Original Score, Costume Design, Editing, Hair and Makeup Styling, and Production Design. Cynthia was nominated for Best Actress, while Ariana received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Who Else Is Performing at the Oscars?
Aside from Ariana and Cynthia’s highly anticipated duet, Raye, Doja Cat, and Lisa teamed up for a James Bond medley. Multiple outlets also report that Queen Latifah is set to take the stage later in the evening.