*Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were notably absent from the 2026 Academy Award nominations, announced January 22, despite both actresses receiving Oscar nods the previous year for their work in “Wicked.” This time, Grande missed out on Best Supporting Actress, while Erivo failed to land a Best Actress nomination for “Wicked: For Good.”
While Grande earned awards-season recognition elsewhere, including a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of Glinda, Oscar voters were less receptive. One anonymous voter dismissed the film outright, telling News Nation, “The movie wasn’t that great.”
That same voter suggested the “Wicked” promotional campaign worked against them. “I was also just completely turned off by their promotional performances,” the voter said, adding that the appearances unsettled some viewers and “came off as cosplaying.”
The “Wicked: For Good” press tour became a frequent topic online, generating cringy viral moments that divided audiences and, according to insiders, irritated some members of the Academy. One incident that drew intense scrutiny involved producer Marc Platt enthusiastically grabbing Grande’s arm during a panel. Grande appeared startled, prompting Erivo to step in and cradle her arm, a reaction many found excessive.
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Another widely discussed moment unfolded at a red carpet event in Singapore, where an overzealous fan broke through security and grabbed Grande. Erivo immediately rushed to her side and wrapped her in a protective embrace, a moment that quickly went viral.
Reflecting on the incident during an interview on “Today,” Erivo said: “I wasn’t really thinking. I just wanted to make sure my friend was safe. I’m sure he didn’t mean us harm, but you never know with those things. I just wanted to make sure she was okay. That was my first instinct.”
At the New York City premiere, Grande seemed visibly distressed by the crowd of photographers. Forensic lip readers later suggested she referenced her “anxiety,” while Erivo quickly stepped in to assist her, further fueling industry commentary about the intensity of their public dynamic.
Throughout both “Wicked” press tours, social media users frequently remarked on the pair’s affectionate behavior, with some mocking what they saw as excessive emotion or intimacy. The duo quickly became fodder for memes and online ridicule.
That perception solidified when Grande declined interviews in solidarity after Erivo lost her voice ahead of a premiere. One voter summed up the sentiment behind the Oscars snub: “The movie wasn’t that good and (Erivo and Grande) sucked the air out of any red carpet they were on — and no one wanted to go through that again. Think of it this way: We were protecting Ariana from her anxiety — and Cynthia from having to intervene. Again.”
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The event will air live on ABC and Hulu, with Conan O’Brien returning to host the show.
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