Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Open Oscars With ‘Wicked’ Anthem “Defying Gravity”
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the 2025 Oscars with a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
The Wicked stars took turns taking the Academy Awards stage after a montage of clips from various Oscar-nominated films were shown, with Grande starting the performance by singing the classic song in homage to Wizard of Oz. Erivo then came onstage to perform Diana Ross’ “Home” from The Wiz.
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After Erivo’s solo, Grande joined her Wicked co-star to perform “Defying Gravity.” At one point, Grande stepped aside to watch Erivo belt the song’s high notes including the notable riff.
Both Grande and Erivo were nominated for their respective Wicked roles with Grande nominated in the supporting actress category and Erivo for best actress.
Earlier this month, Puck reported that “the Academy and executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan have decided to open the show with a Wicked medley.” However, sources close to the telecast and both actresses told THR that it was not, in fact, a done deal at that time, which is why Erivo originally denied that it was set to happen. However, the Academy and its broadcasting partner ABC did in fact enlist the two stars of 2024’s biggest blockbusters to raise the curtain on the show.
Earlier this year, the Academy announced that the Oscars would “move away” from live performances of Oscar-nominated songs this year and would instead instead focus on the backstories of the nominated songwriters.
In addition to the two Wicked stars, other performers set to take the stage during the ceremony include Doja Cat, Lisa of Blackpink, Queen Latifah and Raye who will showcase “showstopping performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends” during the Oscar telecast, according to the Academy. The show also will feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Erivo and Grande are set to star in Wicked’s forthcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good. On the red carpet, Erivo teased of the second movie, “These girls have to deal with the consequences of their decisions and it’s both joyful and heartbreaking and all the things you could possibly imagine. And there are some songs in there that you might recognize and love too, and I think it will be really special.”
Going into Sunday’s show, Emilia Pérez leads the nominations with 13, setting a record for a non-English-language film. Following Emilia Pérez were The Brutalist and Wicked, which tied with 10 noms apiece. A Complete Unknown and Conclave followed with eight mentions each.
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, aired live coast-to-coast on Sunday, March 2, from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on ABC and Hulu. Check out the A-list red carpet arrivals here.
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