The 2025Oscarsopened with an impressive performance from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and theWickedstars paid tribute to three separateThe Wizard of Ozeras.Wicked’s 10 Oscar nominations and popularity throughout its theatrical run were perfectly paired with the announcement that the two stars would be the opening performers. While theOscars 2025 winnerswere inevitably the main event of the evening, Erivo and Grande’s performance, alongsideConan O’Brien’s opening monologue, set proceedings off to a great start.
Wickedwas one of the most successful movies of 2024, serving as an adaptation of the first half of the Broadway musical. Erivo and Grande made a splash as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, and their returns inWicked: For Goodin November 2025are eagerly anticipated. The two stars have great chemistry onscreen and off, and their performances of several differentThe Wizard of Oz-themed songs at the 2025 Oscars ceremony reinforced how exciting it will be to see their characters in the sequel.
Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande’s Medley At The Oscars 2025 Used Songs From The Wizard Of Oz, The Wiz & Wicked
The 3 Wizard Of Oz Movies Meshed Well Together
TheOscars' opening performance by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grandewas comprised of three different songs from variousThe Wizard of Ozmovies. The performance began with Ariana Grande alone on the stage singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” After Grande’s first performance, Cynthia Erivo took center stage to perform “Home”. The two then joined together to perform “Defying Gravity” to the delight of the audience.
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Grande and Erivo’s performances created a fitting homage to each of the films set in the world of Oz. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” represented an emotive choice from the originalThe Wizard of Oz, “Home” provided a heartfelt addition fromThe Wiz, and “Defying Gravity” has become the most well-known song fromWicked. The combination of the three felt like a poignant way to honor the entire history of the iconic Hollywood franchise.
It’s Great Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Honored The Wizard Of Oz Movies Before Wicked
The Medley Connects The World Of Oz Together
Combining these three songs into the Oscars' opening performance perfectly connected the differing stories of the world of Oz. While the majority of viewers are likely familiar withThe Wizard of Ozand “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,“Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “Home” may have also served as a great introduction toThe Wizfor many audience members. WhileThe Wiznever received a lot of acclaim following its 1978 release, its great score and cast are definitely worthy of new attention after the successWickedhas experienced.
Why Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Didn’t Use Any Wicked 2 Songs At The Oscars
It’s Good To Keep The New Songs For The Movie
Though someWickedfans may have anticipated hearing one of the songs from the second half ofWickedfollowing the announcement that Erivo and Grande would be performing, it is actually for the best that they focused on the franchise’s past.The choice of songs and the order they were performed in reflect on the history ofThe Wizard of Ozand how those stories have changed over time. A song from a future movie would have ruined that chronological harmony.
There is so much excitement surroundingWicked: For Good, but performing the new songs too soon could take away from that anticipation.
In addition to being a way to show respect for the franchise’s history, it also makes more sense for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to keepWicked: For Good’s songs for the movie. There is so much excitement surroundingWicked: For Good, but performing the new songs too soon could take away from that anticipation. Since theOscars' purpose is to honor the best movies of the past year rather than look forward to the next, the opening performance was a great way to showcase the history of a timeless franchise.
