The stars aligned at the 97th Academy Awards held on March 2, 2025, as Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande represented Wicked, delighting audiences with powerful performances and garnering recognition for their extraordinary contributions to the film. Walking the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre, Erivo and Grande, who played Elphaba and Glinda, opened the evening with a medley of songs. Grande kicked off with the classic "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz, followed by Erivo performing "Home" from The Wiz. Their set culminated with the iconic "Defying Gravity," showcasing both talent and the film's spirit.
Welcoming fans to the grand event, Jeff Goldblum, who plays the Wizard, expressed his admiration for the absent Jonathan Bailey, who was performing Richard II at the same time across the pond in England. "He's on stage right now, doing Richard II," Goldblum revealed during Live From E!: The Oscars. "He's a masterful, eighth-degree black belt actor. I adore Jonathan Bailey. He's great in our movie. What a great actor." While Goldblum wasn't nominated individually, Wicked received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Grande.
Ariana Grande made quite the fashion statement on the red carpet, donning a pale pink Schiaparelli Couture gown reminiscent of her character's bubble-mobile. Meanwhile, Cynthia Erivo made sure to channel her character as well, stunning in a deep green velvet gown, paying homage to her role of Elphaba. "I feel wonderful in this," Cynthia told Zuri Hall, sharing her excitement for the evening. "We worked on this for a little. I wanted to have a nod to Oz, and the green, and to old Hollywood." Details of their captivating outfits entranced fans, reflecting their characters’ vibrant personalities.
Despite Wicked's impressive nominations, the film secured wins for Best Costume Design, awarded to Paul Tazewell, making history as the first Black man to receive this Oscar. This achievement brought attention to the significance of representation within the Academy Awards and the entertainment industry. Additional recognition came with the award for Best Production Design, won by Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales. The film boasted nominations for Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing, Best Sound, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling, making its total accolades noteworthy.
Although Wicked did not take home all 10 awards, the performances by Grande and Erivo reaffirmed their artistic prowess and the film's impact. The movie, which earned more than $729 million globally since its November 22, 2024, release, is adapting Gregory Maguire’s tale about the witches of Oz, based on the beloved Broadway musical of the same name.
After the ceremony, many pondered what the future holds for the Wicked franchise. Wicked: For Good, the exciting sequel, is set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025, promising audiences yet another thrilling twist on the iconic story. "There’s a time jump for sure, and I’m excited to see visually how the characters have changed for good or maybe not for good," Marissa Bode, who portrays Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, shared earlier this year. She hinted at new songs co-written by Erivo and Stephen Schwartz, the original Broadway composer, adding to the anticipation surrounding this forthcoming cinematic gem.
The Oscar ceremony, rich with tributes and performances, celebrated not only the art of filmmaking but also the magic of the Broadway sensation Wicked. Despite facing competition from other notable films like The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, Wicked, which is based on L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, left its mark on the night. Following this year's accolades and thanks to its remarkable star performances, anticipation for the upcoming Wicked: For Good is palpable. With solid foundations from the original, the next chapter promises to expand on the beloved themes weaved through the lives of Elphaba and Glinda, exploring their choices as they navigate the world of Oz.