Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the 97th Academy Awards with a spellbinding tribute to the magical world of Oz, blending iconic songs from The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked. The duo’s performance was a celebration of the beloved stories that have captivated audiences for decades, setting the tone for a night of cinematic magic.
Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform Defying Gravity at the #Oscars! 💚🩷 pic.twitter.com/n4ep3arGfS
— Wicked Movie (@wickedmovie) March 3, 2025
The medley began with Grande delivering a heartfelt rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow from the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, her sparkly ruby red slipper-adorned dress adding a touch of whimsy. Erivo followed with a powerful performance of Home from the 1975 musical The Wiz, her strapless white floral gown exuding elegance.
The highlight of the performance came when the two joined forces for Defying Gravity, the show-stopping anthem from Wicked. Erivo, stepping into the role of Elphaba, delivered the song’s climactic high note with jaw-dropping precision, earning an immediate standing ovation from the star-studded audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
The tribute not only honored the legacy of Oz on stage and screen but also showcased the incredible talents of Grande and Erivo, both Academy Award nominees in their own right. Their performance was a reminder of the enduring power of music and storytelling, leaving the audience—and viewers at home—utterly enchanted.
