Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande Open the 2025 Oscars with a Show-Stopping Wizard of Oz Medley
A Magical Tribute to The Wizard of Oz Universe
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande kicked off the 2025 Academy Awards with a breathtaking musical medley celebrating The Wizard of Oz universe. The performance, blending three iconic songs from the franchise, set the stage for an unforgettable Oscars night.Dressed in a dazzling red gown, Grande began the set with a stirring rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, emerging from a cloud of smoke against a starry night backdrop. As she finished, Erivo took the spotlight in a voluminous white gown, delivering a powerful cover of The Wiz, originally performed by Diana Ross in the 1978 film of the same name.
The two stars then reunited for an electrifying performance of Defying Gravity, the signature anthem from Wicked, bringing the audience to their feet in a roaring standing ovation.
An Emotional Moment for the Wicked Cast
During the performance, cameras captured Ethan Slater, Erivo and Grande’s Wicked co-star, with tears in his eyes as he proudly applauded from the crowd.The trio starred in 2024’s Wicked movie, with Erivo as Elphaba, the misunderstood green-skinned protagonist, and Grande as Glinda, her unlikely best friend. Slater portrayed Boq, a Munchkin caught in the drama of Oz.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, the highly anticipated film adapts the hit Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which reimagines the classic story from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Wicked’s Big Oscar Night
Heading into the awards, Wicked was a major contender with 10 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Both Erivo and Grande received acting nods, with Erivo up for Best Actress and Grande for Best Supporting Actress.For Grande, the role of Glinda was a childhood dream come true. “I had the incredible privilege of seeing the original Broadway cast of Wicked when I was 10, and I just felt an immediate bond,” she shared in a Universal Pictures featurette.
Meanwhile, Erivo has spoken about the deep personal connection she feels to Elphaba, telling The View, “That feeling of being on the outside, being a bit different, not fitting in… I always felt like I was different.”
As the Wicked cast celebrated their night at the Oscars, their opening performance set the tone for what could be a historic evening for the beloved musical’s big-screen adaptation.
