Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo Doesn’t Hold Back When Responding To Reports That She And Ariana Grande Are Performing At The Oscars

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As the Oscars draw near, there’s lots of speculation about what unexpected delights this year’s show might bring. Conan O’Brien is set to host, which is fantastic news for comedy enthusiasts, as his on-stage shenanigans promise to add some fun to the event. There’s also buzz about potential performances to anticipate, with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from “Wicked” being among them. However, Erivo has shared her thoughts on the rumor circulating that she and Grande might duet during the broadcast, and her response was quite direct.

2025 Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo graced the Critics Choice Awards this year. During her red carpet interview with Variety, she was questioned about whether herself and the cast of Wicked would be giving a performance at The Academy Awards. She appeared taken aback by the suggestion and denied any rumors that she had discussed a live performance with The Academy, stating explicitly that she hadn’t.

What’s the reason behind everyone repeatedly stating that? It leaves me puzzled as to its origin. To me, it seems more like a hopeful assumption rather than a fact. I can’t fathom why there’s this sudden urge for us to sing. Why on Earth would we be doing so?

I find it quite remarkable that she was taken aback by the rumors, given that “Wicked” has made a significant impact this year, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Picture and acting nods for both Erivo and Grande. It’s evident that it will play a prominent role at the ceremony, leaving a lasting impression on pop culture. It’s also common for hosts to incorporate musical elements into their opening when a notable musical is nominated.

It appears that Erivo’s misunderstanding stems from the fact that “Wicked” was not among the nominees for Best Original Song. She expressed this thought as follows:

Negative! It seems some folks are wondering if we’ll perform at the Oscars. Frankly, I can’t fathom why we’d do that, given our tune isn’t even in contention. That scenario simply doesn’t align with reality. Frankly, I’m not sure what to say on this matter.

Although it’s true that Wicked wasn’t recognized for its songs, it’s important to note that it wasn’t actually eligible because the music wasn’t initially composed for the movie but rather for the stage production. Moreover, even though it didn’t receive a nomination, it doesn’t imply that it lacked potential. In fact, Les Misérables performed “One Day More” during the Oscars in 2013 although that song wasn’t nominated due to eligibility issues, so a performance from Wicked didn’t seem implausible.

This year, there’s a twist in how the Oscars are handling the Best Original Song category. Previously, all nominees would perform their nominated song during the ceremony. However, The Academy has chosen to skip this tradition this time around, opting instead to focus on showing how the songs were created. Notably, Ryan Gosling’s electrifying performance of “I’m Just Ken” in 2024 was a crowd favorite and might be tough to surpass. Some speculated that this change could pave the way for a possible “Wicked” performance, but according to comments made by Erivo, it seems unlikely that will happen.

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2025-02-08 19:37