Cynthia Erivo is prepared to “raise hell” if Ariana Grande doesn’t get an Oscar nomination for her role as Galinda/Glinda in 2024’s Wicked.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Wicked hit United States theaters in November 2024. An adaptation of the popular Broadway musical of the same name, the film stars Grande and Erivo, the latter of whom plays Elphaba Thropp.
Speaking with Variety, Erivo said she’s fully convinced Grande should be getting a Best Supporting Actress nomination from the Academy Award for her performance in Wicked.
What did Cynthia Erivo say about Ariana Grande’s performance in Wicked?
“I will raise hell if this lady does not get her nomination,” Erivo said. “It’s a really f—ing hard job to jump into the middle of something like this and have it be your first time.”
Grande has never been nominated for an Oscar before; although, her Wicked performance has already earned her a Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture nomination from the Golden Globes, which are being held this coming Sunday.
Erivo, meanwhile, was nominated for two Academy Awards — Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) — in 2020 for Harriet, though she lost in both categories. She previously won the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Preimte Emmy Award (for 2021’s Genius), Best Musical Theater Album Grammy Award (for 2017’s The Color Purple), and Best Leading Actress in a Musical Tony Award (for 2016’s The Color Purple), meaning she could be an EGOT winner if she wins Best Actress at the Oscars for Wicked.
Grande said of Erivo, “You, Miss Elphaba, deserve your flowers, and I can’t wait to hold your train as you get that EGOT — and your gummy vitamins, and your thermos.”
While still playing in many theaters across the United States, Wicked is now available to rent or purchase on digital streaming outlets such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango at Home, and more. Wicked: For Good arrives on November 21, 2025, from Universal Pictures.
Oscar nominations will be announced on Friday, January 17, 2025.