Finally, Cynthia Erivo And Ariana Grande Get Their ‘Wicked’ Awards Season Moment

If there was ever a place for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to do a live “Wicked” performance, it was on the Academy Awards stage.

At last, on Sunday night at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, the co-stars performed a medley of songs dedicated to their Oscar-nominated film — this coming after their string of “Wicked”-themed award show bits this year.

Grande opened the show with a beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz,” this following a quick tribute to LA after January’s destructive wildfires. Erivo then followed suit with a stunning homage to Stephanie Mills’ “Home” from the Broadway musical “The Wiz.”

And finally, the moment everyone has been waiting for: the duo came back together to close out their performance with a grandiose “Wicked” duet of “Defying Gravity,” which ended with Erivo belting her signature riff as the stage rose beneath her.

A hell of a way to kick off the 2025 Oscars.

The music from “Wicked” — which also earned an Oscar nomination — has been viral fodder for fans since the Jon M. Chu-directed musical hit theaters in November. From Keke Palmer imitating Erivo’s “Defying Gravity” riff to everyone “holding space” for the song’s lyrics, the meme-ification of the Best Picture nominee almost overshadowed Grande’s and Erivo’s award season run.

The duo appeared at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, the BAFTAs, and most recently, the SAG Awards to honor their movie. However, none of those appearances included a musical performance from the pair.

Until recently, many weren’t even sure Grande and Erivo would be asked to perform their “Wicked” songs during Hollywood’s biggest night — including Erivo herself, who denied the rumors in early February.

“Why does everyone keep saying that? I don’t know where this has come from,” the Best Actress nominee told Variety on the Critics’ Choice red carpet. “This feels like wishful thinking to me, personally. Why on Earth would we be singing?”

Lo and behold, the Academy later confirmed Erivo and Grande as performers at the 2025 Oscars, as well as Doja Cat, Raye and Lisa of Blackpink. Queen Latifah was also listed for a musical tribute to the late Quincy Jones.

Grande previously told The Hollywood Reporter she and Erivo would “of course” love to sing together at the Oscars if the opportunity presented itself.

“I’ll sing together absolutely anywhere anytime,” said the first-time nominee, “especially in celebration of ‘Wicked,’ and I love her, that’s my sister. Say the word, and we’ll be there.”