Oscars 2025: ‘Wicked’ stars Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo set to perform live on broadcast

The 2025 Academy Awards are set to deliver an unforgettable night, especially for musical theater fans. "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will take the stage for a special live performance, bringing a touch of Broadway magic to Hollywood’s biggest night.

In addition to Grande and Erivo, other major artists—including Doja Cat, BLACKPINK’s Lisa, Queen Latifah, and Raye—will also take part in what the Academy describes as “showstopping performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends.”

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Thank Oz! Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Set to Perform at Oscars 2025

The 2025 Academy Awards will feature a star-studded lineup of musical performances, with "Wicked" stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo set to take the stage. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that the Oscar-nominated actresses will deliver a highly anticipated performance during the live Oscars broadcast on Sunday.

The duo, who play Glinda and Elphaba in the Wicked movie adaptation, are expected to showcase their vocal talents in what promises to be one of the most talked-about moments of the night.

What will Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo perform?

The Academy's Instagram account has already confirmed their performance at the Oscars 2025 broadcast! This presentation comes ahead of the film’s second part November release, building excitement for the musical blockbuster.

While details about their setlist remain under wraps, fans are speculating that the duo might perform "Defying Gravity" or “What Is This Feeling?”, both beloved songs from the musical. With both stars known for their powerhouse vocals, this performance is sure to be a highlight of the ceremony.

Earlier this month, entertainment site Puck reported that Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan had decided to start the show with a Wicked medley. However, at the time, sources close to the production and the actresses denied that a final decision had been made. Now, with all parties on board, the performance is confirmed, bringing additional buzz to one of 2024’s biggest upcoming blockbusters.

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‘Wicked’ performance stirring controversy

The inclusion of "Wicked" in the Oscars 2025 lineup has sparked debate, particularly because this year’s Academy Awards initially announced a shift away from live performances of Oscar-nominated songs. Instead, the show planned to highlight the backstories of the nominated songwriters. However, the decision to feature a non-nominated musical performance from "Wicked" has raised concerns among some industry insiders.

Since the film’s songs were originally part of its Broadway production, they were not eligible for the Best Original Song category at the Oscars. Meanwhile, the official nominees—including “El Mal” and “Mi Camino” from "Emilia Pérez", “Like a Bird” from "Sing Sing", “Never Too Late” from "Elton John: Never Too Late", and “The Journey” from "The Six Triple Eight"—have not gained the same level of public recognition. The move to prioritize Wicked aligns with the Academy’s and ABC’s efforts to boost viewership, as the film’s popularity is expected to attract a broader audience.

'Wicked' Oscar nominations

With its breathtaking visuals and stunning performances by Grande and Erivo, "Wicked" has earned multiple nominations. The film’s presence at the Oscars 2025 is not only a tribute to its artistic achievements, but also a moment to further elevate its upcoming sequel, Wicked: For Good.

• Best Picture
• Best Actress in a Leading Role (Cynthia Erivo)
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Ariana Grande)
• Best Visual Effects (Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk and Paul Corbould)
• Best Sound (Simon Hayes, Nancy Nugent Title, Jack Dolman, Andy Nelson and John Marquis)
• Best Editing (Myron Kerstein)
• Best Production Design (Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales)
• Best Original Score (John Powell and Stephen Schwartz)
• Best Makeup and Hairstyling (Frances Hannon, Laura Blount and Sarah Nuth)
• Best Costume Design (Paul Tazewell)