Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who were nominated for an Oscar in the musical “Wicked,” are set to perform at this Sunday’s Academy Awards, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Furthermore, it has been announced that Doja Cat, Blackpink’s Lisa, Queen Latifah, and Raye will all be participating in “spectacular shows paying tribute to the film industry and some of its iconic figures” during the Oscar broadcast, as stated by the Academy.
Although the specific songs that Grande and Erivo will sing at the start of the event are yet to be revealed (with possibilities such as “Popular,” “Defying Gravity,” “What Is This Feeling?”, or a combination thereof), it’s being suggested that they will begin the performance.
Just last week, Puck claimed that the Academy, along with producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, were planning to kick off the show with a “Wicked” medley. However, according to reliable sources connected to the broadcast and both actresses, this decision was not finalized as previously stated by Puck, which is why Erivo firmly denied the rumor. (THR was also informed of this.)
Since then, everyone has gotten on board with this plan, as it’s a smart move. The Academy and its broadcast partner ABC anticipate increased ratings by featuring the stars from one of 2024’s most anticipated blockbusters. Meanwhile, Erivo, Grande, and the entire Wicked crew can’t ask for better promotion as they gear up for their upcoming film sequel, Wicked: For Good.
Any choice concerning the Oscars is usually met with some level of debate, and this particular one looks set to follow suit.
In January, it was revealed that the Oscars would no longer feature live performances of nominated songs this year, opting instead to highlight the stories behind the nominees. This change is likely to disappoint the nominated songwriters, as the broadcast will showcase performances of songs not up for an award. Since all the tunes from “Wicked” were part of its Broadway production, they were ineligible for consideration in the category of best original song.
The popularity of these topics isn’t up for argument. This year’s Oscar-nominated songs – “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez, “Like a Bird” from Sing Sing, “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late, and “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight – are widely accepted as not popular. However, the soundtrack to Wicked, on the other hand, is indisputably so.
Or, in a more conversational tone:
There’s no question about it when it comes to popularity. This year’s Oscar-nominated songs – “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from Emilia Pérez, “Like a Bird” from Sing Sing, “Never Too Late” from Elton John: Never Too Late, and “The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight – aren’t considered popular. But the soundtrack to Wicked? Without a doubt, it is!
Three years past, at the Oscars, the tune “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto was spotlighted in a performance, despite the fact that it hadn’t been officially submitted for Oscar contention before it exploded into popular culture. However, this rendition was an extra one, not a replacement for the previously nominated songs (the four of them whose performers decided to attend), but rather in addition to them.
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2025-02-24 21:25