Why Wicked Isn’t Nominated For Best Song But Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Are Performing At The Oscars

Months after the release of Wicked, I can’t wait for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to perform live at the Academy Awards. For the last few years, the songs in the Best Original Song category have been performed live at the Oscars. However, the Academy Awards have announced that they will not include these performances this year. Despite this change, Erivo and Grande are still going to be performing at least one song from Wicked at the Academy Awards. It has not been revealed whether they are singing just one song or multiple, but either way, I am so excited.

Reviews for Wicked have been exceptional, and ever since its release the musical has been a worldwide phenomenon. Critics and audiences have praised the performances of Erivo and Grande in the film, who play Elphaba and Glinda, respectively. In addition to performing live at the Oscars, Erivo is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Grande is nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Therefore, both Erivo and Grande will be in the spotlight throughout the night during the 2025 Academy Awards.

Wicked’s Songs Aren’t Eligible For The Oscars

None Of The Songs In Wicked Are Original

It is not currently known what songs Erivo and Grande will perform at the Oscars, but they will most likely sing either “What Is This Feeling?,” Popular,” or “Defying Gravity,” which is the song their characters sing at the end of Wicked. Despite how beloved these and other songs from the film are, none of the songs from Wicked are eligible for the Oscars. Since Wicked is an adaptation of the critically acclaimed Broadway musical of the same name, none of the songs in the film are original, and therefore don’t qualify for the Best Original Song category.

Wicked’s Music Could Still Win An Oscar

Wicked Is Nominated For Best Original Score

Even though none of the songs in Wicked qualify for the Best Original Song category, it is nominated for Best Original Score. In the Best Original Score category, Wicked is nominated alongside The Brutalist, Conclave, Emilia Pérez, and The Wild Robot. Despite being the most popular of the bunch when it comes to music, Wicked is not the favorite to win the award. Instead, in our final predictions for the 2025 Oscars, Screen Rant’s own Cooper Hood predicted that The Brutalist will win the Best Original Score Oscar.

Why Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Are Performing At The Oscars Despite No Best Song Nomination

Wicked Was One Of The Biggest Movies Of 2024

Since the songs from the Best Original Song category are not being performed at this year’s Oscars, some may be confused about why Erivo and Grande are performing. However, given how popular Wicked has been over the last few months, it would have been a missed opportunity if the Academy didn’t allow Erivo and Grande to perform at the Oscars. Even if the Best Original Song contenders were being performed, like they have been in previous years, I still think that the Academy would have wanted to make time for a Wicked performance, as well.

While some viewers have loved the performances of the Best Original Song contenders at the Oscars, others have argued that they make the show go on for too long. I tend to agree with the latter group, but I would never say no to a Wicked performance from Erivo and Grande. Therefore, if there is time for just one performance at this year’s Oscars, it is absolutely the right decision to have Erivo and Grande step on the stage and sing a song from Wicked.

Wicked 2 Could Be Nominated For Best Original Song

Erivo & Grande Will Sing Original Songs In Wicked: For Good

Wicked adapted Act 1 of the Broadway musical, whereas the upcoming Wicked: For Good will adapt Act 2. However, it seems like Wicked: For Good is deviating from the musical more than the first film did. Both Erivo and Grande have claimed that they will be singing original songs in the upcoming sequel. Erivo has claimed that her original Wicked: For Good song made many crew members cry on set, while Grande has teased that her song will reveal more about the character of Glinda.

Since Wicked: For Good will include at least two original songs, it will be eligible to be nominated in the Best Original Song category at the 2026 Academy Awards. I would not be surprised if Erivo and Grande both get nominated in the category at next year’s Oscars. Furthermore, I honestly think it’s safe to say that one of their songs will probably win the award. Therefore, there’s a strong chance that more Wicked songs will also be performed at next year’s Academy Awards.

Movie

My Favorite Movies
My Watchlist

Wicked

9/10

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Runtime

160 Minutes

Director

Jon M. Chu

Writers

Gregory Maguire, Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, L. Frank Baum