Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Stars of the Upcoming ‘Wicked’ Film, Steal the Show at the Oscars
In a delightful turn of events at this year’s Oscars, ‘Wicked’ co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought a touch of Broadway magic to Hollywood’s biggest night. While we’re all counting down the days until November 27 to catch a glimpse of them in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the beloved musical, Grande and Erivo gave us a little preview of their chemistry on the Oscar stage.
Ariana, 30, who steps into the sparkly shoes of Galinda Upland (or Glinda the Good Witch, for those not in the know), and Cynthia, 37, who embodies the fiercely misunderstood Elphaba Thropp (aka the Wicked Witch of the West), were on hand to present not one, but two major awards: Best Original Score and Best Original Song. And, of course, they couldn’t resist sprinkling a few ‘Wicked’ references throughout their presentation.
Erivo kicked things off with a nod to the power of a great movie song, while Grande chimed in with a homage to the unforgettable impact of a stellar film score. Erivo couldn’t help but drop a cheeky “somewhere over the rainbow” reference, prompting Grande to quip, “Oh. How wickedly subtle of you.” The banter between the two was a delightful teaser of their on-screen dynamic to come.
The evening saw Ludwig Goransson snagging the Best Original Score for ‘Oppenheimer’, while Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell took home the Best Original Song Oscar for their haunting ballad from ‘Barbie’, edging out some stiff competition.
Beyond the glitz of their Oscar presentation, the story of Grande and Erivo’s upcoming ‘Wicked’ film is one of anticipation and excitement. Set just before Dorothy’s arrival in Oz, the film explores the complex friendship between Galinda and Elphaba. With the Broadway musical still captivating audiences after two decades, the film adaptation is one of the most eagerly awaited projects in Hollywood, promising to bring a fresh take on the timeless tale.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, ‘Wicked’ is set to be a two-part cinematic event, featuring an ensemble cast including Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Michelle Yeoh, Keala Settle, and Jeff Goldblum. As we await the magic that this talented cast will undoubtedly bring to the big screen, Grande and Erivo’s Oscar night appearance has only heightened the anticipation for what promises to be a spectacular addition to the ‘Wizard of Oz’ legacy. Mark your calendars for November 27, because Oz is about to get a whole lot more wicked.
