The 2025 Oscars opened with an impressive performance from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and the Wicked stars paid tribute to three separate The Wizard of Oz eras. 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 the Oscars 2025 winners were inevitably the main event of the evening, Erivo and Grande’s performance, alongside Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue, set proceedings off to a great start.
Wicked was 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 in Wicked: For Good in November 2025 are eagerly anticipated. The two stars have great chemistry onscreen and off, and their performances of several different The 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
The Oscars’ opening performance by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande was comprised of three different songs from various The Wizard of Oz movies. 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.
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 original The Wizard of Oz, “Home” provided a heartfelt addition from The Wiz, and “Defying Gravity” has become the most well-known song from Wicked. 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 with The Wizard of Oz and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Cynthia Erivo’s performance of “Home” may have also served as a great introduction to The Wiz for many audience members. While The Wiz never received a lot of acclaim following its 1978 release, its great score and cast are definitely worthy of new attention after the success Wicked has 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 some Wicked fans may have anticipated hearing one of the songs from the second half of Wicked following 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 of The Wizard of Oz and how those stories have changed over time. A song from a future movie would have ruined that chronological harmony.
There is so much excitement surrounding Wicked: 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 keep Wicked: For Good‘s songs for the movie. There is so much excitement surrounding Wicked: For Good, but performing the new songs too soon could take away from that anticipation. Since the Oscars‘ 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.
