The 2025 Oscars kicked off with a truly magical moment as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo delivered a breathtaking performance of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." The highly anticipated event at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood saw the two stars of Wicked take center stage, setting the tone for a night of cinematic celebration.
A Show-Stopping Opening Act
Grande was the first to step into the spotlight, paying homage to The Wizard of Oz as she sang the timeless classic. Then, in a seamless transition, Erivo captivated the audience with a soulful rendition of Diana Ross’ "Home" from The Wiz. But the magic didn’t stop there! The two powerhouse vocalists reunited on stage for an electrifying duet of Wicked’s iconic anthem, "Defying Gravity."
At one point, in a moment of pure admiration, Grande stepped aside to watch Erivo deliver the song’s high notes—hitting the famous riff with precision and power. It was a breathtaking performance that left the audience in awe and set social media on fire with praise.
Wicked Stars Shine Bright at the Oscars
Both Grande and Erivo were nominated for their stunning performances in Wicked, with Grande earning a nod in the Best Supporting Actress category and Erivo vying for Best Actress. This added an extra layer of excitement to their Oscars performance, making it one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
The idea of opening the show with a Wicked medley had been floating around for weeks. Earlier this month, Puck reported that the Academy and executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan were considering the move. However, sources close to the production—and even Erivo herself—initially denied that it was a done deal. Eventually, the Academy, along with broadcasting partner ABC, decided to go ahead, bringing in two of Hollywood’s biggest stars to give the Oscars a spectacular opening.
A Shift in the Academy’s Approach to Music
This year, the Academy made a bold change by stepping away from live performances of Oscar-nominated songs. Instead, they focused on sharing the backstories of the nominated songwriters—a move that had mixed reactions from fans. But that didn’t mean the night was short on musical performances! Alongside Grande and Erivo, the Oscars stage saw dynamic performances from Doja Cat, Lisa of BLACKPINK, Queen Latifah, and Raye, who delivered show-stopping moments honoring the filmmaking community and Hollywood legends.
Adding to the grandeur of the evening, the Los Angeles Master Chorale made a special appearance, bringing an extra layer of elegance to the already star-studded affair.
Wicked Sequel Teased on the Red Carpet
Beyond their Oscars moment, both Grande and Erivo are gearing up for the highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good. Erivo, speaking on the red carpet, teased the emotional journey that awaits fans in the next chapter. “These girls have to deal with the consequences of their decisions, and it’s both joyful and heartbreaking—everything you can possibly imagine,” she revealed. She also hinted at some familiar songs making their return, adding to the excitement for the next installment.
A Historic Night for Cinema
As the awards ceremony unfolded, it became clear that history was being made. Emilia Pérez led the pack with a record-breaking 13 nominations, making it the most-nominated non-English-language film in Oscars history. Hot on its heels were The Brutalist and Wicked, both earning 10 nominations each, while A Complete Unknown and Conclave followed with eight mentions apiece.
A Night to Remember
The 97th Academy Awards, hosted by the ever-charismatic Conan O’Brien, aired live coast-to-coast on Sunday, March 2, across ABC and Hulu. With a mix of historic wins, powerful performances, and unforgettable moments, this year’s Oscars proved to be a night for the books—one that fans and industry insiders alike will be talking about for years to come.
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