Ariana Grande and “Wicked: For Good” were left out of this year’s Oscars nominations, sparking a backlash from her fans. The sequel to the famous musical did not receive any nominations, despite its previous successes, with fans calling it a “rigged process” and passionately defending Grande’s performance.
Η Ariana Grande has found herself in the spotlight again — this time not for a music release or red carpet appearance, but for an absence that was more talked about than many presences. The long-awaited sequel to the hit musical “Wicked: For Good,” in which the singer and actress plays Glinda, failed to garner a single nomination at this year’s 2026 Oscars, which many consider completely unfair.
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The result came as a surprise, as Grande had received her first Oscar nomination last year for her role in the first part of the film, earning praise for her performance and vocal power. Although she didn’t win at the time — the award went to Zoe Saldaña for “Emilia Pérez” — her nomination was considered a major moment in her Hollywood career.
Fans were immediately disappointed. When the nominations were announced and “Wicked: For Good” didn’t appear anywhere on the list, social media went into a frenzy. Many users expressed their displeasure at the exclusion of both Ariana Grande and her co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays the legendary Elphaba. One fan commented that “the Academy used Grande for ratings last year and completely ignored her this year.”
Others were quick to call the decision “rigged” or “unfair,” with many claiming that Grande “delivered the strongest performance of the year.” The comments section on X (formerly Twitter) was filled with posts talking about “Oscar snub” and “RIGGED,” while many pointed out that Wicked: For Good didn’t even receive nominations for technical categories like costumes, makeup, or effects — something that was considered particularly unexpected for such an impressive production.
Ariana Grande herself, who has not yet publicly commented on her absence from this year's nominations, hinted in a recent interview that she was proud of the film, regardless of the accolades. Her connection to Broadway and the musical Wicked runs deep, as the singer has stated many times that Glinda has always been a dream role for her.
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NME's review of "Wicked: For Good" was positive, albeit reserved, giving it three stars and noting that the film's most moving moment is Grande and Erivo's scene together in "For Good." The moment was described as "explosive and emotionally charged," highlighting the chemistry between the two leads and their vocal power.
Although the sequel failed to repeat the commercial and artistic triumph of the first Wicked, the film maintained the interest of viewers, while its musical moments went viral on TikTok and YouTube. Some analysts believe that the film's absence from the Oscars may reflect a broader "fatigue" of the Academy towards major film musical productions, which often do not receive the serious recognition they deserve.
Despite the disappointment, Ariana Grande continues to excel on the music scene. She and Cynthia Erivo are nominated at this year's BRIT Awards for their stunning performance of "Defying Gravity," where they compete against artists such as Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi, and RAYE for the title of Song of the Year.
The singer, who has also returned to recording, is also set to star in the new production of “Sunday in the Park with George”, this time alongside Jonathan Bailey, confirming that her career in theater is just beginning.
Grande's presence on the big music and film stages shows that, even if the Academies don't give her the statuettes, she has already conquered something much more important — the love of the public and her artistic development.
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And while this year's "Wicked: For Good" may have come up empty-handed, Ariana Grande's name remains synonymous with success, talent, and resilience. Her fans are already waiting for her next move — and if the pop star has proven anything, it's that every snub is just a prelude to her next big win.
Wicked: For Good may not have managed to wow the Academy, but it certainly continued to captivate audiences — and that, for many, is the real prize.
