Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo left the Oscars stage changed for good.
The Wicked costars dazzled the audience with their performances at the Oscars on March 2. On the Dolby Theater stage—which will also feature performances from Doja Cat, Blackpink’s LISA, Queen Latifah and RAYE—Ariana stunned in a red strapless sparking gown, which featured a ruby red pump located on the back, as she started their performance with a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” from the Wizard of Oz. Meanwhile Cynthia turned heads in a white gown adorned with floral embellishments as she belted out “Home” from The Wiz.
And together, fittingly, the two sang “Defying Gravity.” (See every celeb at the show here.)
Indeed the show-stopping number was just further proof that the Jon M. Chu movie remains popular. And it’s not just the crowd that proved as much as Wicked itself is nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Actress in a Leading Role for Cynthia’s portrayal of Elphaba and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Ariana’s portrayal of Glinda.
While Elphaba and Glinda started as enemies, there is certainly no loathing between the pair. Since the film’s release in November, fans have loved seeing their friendship grow both on and off screen.
“This film brought us together, but it’s not the thing that keeps us together,” Cynthia exclusively told E! News on the red carpet of the SAG Awards Feb. 23. “We were lucky because we got to meet each other on this project, but when the project goes away, we’re still good friends. That’s still my sister. It’s not this that’s keeping us together.”
As for her counterpart in the story—which will conclude with Wicked: For Good in November—the “we can’t be friends” singer shared a similar sentiment.
“To work with someone who is just absolutely in their own league as a talent in the world—there’s no one like her,” Ariana said on Penn Badgley‘s podcast Podcrushed in June. “To just feel like we somehow speak the same language and somehow we’re destined to do this together and to feel safe every single day together and hold space.”
And costar Ethan Slater, who began dating Ariana in 2023 after meeting on the film, praised their friendship. “They set the tone for all of us,” the Boq actor, explained to E! News in November 2024. “It felt familial. It felt like we were all in it together and that started with them.”
According to Marissa Bode, who plays Elphaba’s little sister Nessarose, Ariana and Cynthia’s friendship strengthened their performances.
“They have such a strong bond that I admire so much in the movie,” she added in the joint interview with Ethan. “These young girls are just figuring themselves out and translating into who they are as people—having a strong and loving bond to one another. It’s really cool to see and it’s really special.”
And The Color of Purple star couldn’t agree more, expressing to E! in February, “If we couldn’t be there for each other as Cynthia and Ari, then how could we possibly be there for the characters Elphaba and Glinda?”
Keep reading to see all of the stars at the Oscars…
(E! News and Universal Pictures are part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Ariana Grande
In Schiaparelli.
Zoe Saldaña
In custom Saint Laurent and Cartier jewelry.
Selena Gomez
In custom Ralph Lauren and Stuart Weitzman heels.
Cynthia Erivo
In custom Louis Vuitton and FoundRae jewelry.
Lily-Rose Depp
In Chanel.
Scarlett Johansson
In Thierry Mugler and De Beers jewelry.
Gal Gadot
In Prada and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Mikey Madison
In Christian Dior and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Andrew Garfield
In Gucci, David Yurman jewelry, and Jaeger-Le Coultre watch.
Halle Berry
In Christian Siriano and Pomellato Jewelry.
Rita Wilson
In Valentino.
Monica Barbaro
In custom Dior.
Penelope Cruz
In Chanel.
Samuel L. Jackson
In Giorgio Armani.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
In custom Tamara Ralph Haute Couture and LAGOS jewelry.
Gayle King
Colman Domingo
In custom Valentino and Persol Ida sunglasses.
Sterling K. Brown
In Giorgio Armani, David Yurman jewelry, IWC Watches watch and Santoni shoes.
Ben Stiller
In Dolce and Gabbana.
Jeremy Strong
In custom Loro Piana.
Michelle Yeoh
In Balenciaga.
Kieran Culkin
In Zegna, Fred Leighton and Kwiat jewelry, and Omega watch.
Amy Poehler
In custom Rachel Gilbert and Marco Bicego jewelry.
Meg Ryan
In Ashi Studio and Tiffany and Co. jewelry.
Isabella Rossellini
In Dolce & Gabbana.
Emma Stone
In custom Louis Vuitton.
Miley Cyrus
In Alexander McQueen.
Doja Cat
In custom Balmain, Messika High Jewelry, and Amina Muaddi shoes.
Adrien Brody
In Giorgio Armani.
Margaret Qualley
In Chanel.
