The singer and actress earned a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Golden Globes for her turn as Glinda in Wicked: For Good, but Oscar voters ultimately passed her over when nominations were announced.
Several voters cited disappointment with the film itself — and unease over the movie’s promotional tour — as key reasons behind the snub.
“The movie wasn’t that great,” one voter said. “The two leads have great chemistry, but they spend much of the film apart.”
Another voter pointed to the press tour, which became a frequent source of viral moments. “The promotional performances really turned people off,” the voter added. “They were trying so hard to feel authentic that it came across as cosplay. It creeped a lot of people out.”
A Press Tour That Backfired
Grande’s press appearances alongside co-star Cynthia Erivo generated enormous online attention — much of it critical. Viewers repeatedly commented on what they perceived as an unusual level of emotional intensity and codependence between the two stars.
One widely discussed incident occurred during a promotional panel when producer Marc Platt enthusiastically grabbed Grande’s arm. Grande appeared startled, holding her arm close to her body, while Erivo stepped in, cradling it protectively. The moment quickly spread online, with critics questioning whether Erivo’s reaction was excessive for what appeared to be a harmless interaction.
Another viral clip came from the Paris premiere, where the actresses were asked to describe each other’s “auras.” Grande called Erivo “yellow, like sunshine,” before panicking over her accidental reference to purple — a color associated with Erivo’s past role in The Color Purple. Erivo responded with an equally theatrical description of Grande’s aura, dividing social media between fans who found the exchange charming and others who felt it was forced.
Red Carpets and Rising Tensions
At the New York City premiere, Grande appeared overwhelmed by aggressive photographers, raising her hands and asking them to “go easy.” Erivo immediately rushed to her side and summoned staff, once again taking on a protective role that some industry insiders found increasingly intense.
That dynamic peaked when Erivo lost her voice shortly before the premiere. In response, Grande declined to do interviews herself, despite being healthy, choosing instead to stand by her co-star.
For Oscar voters, the combination proved exhausting.
“The movie wasn’t that good, and they sucked the air out of every red carpet they were on,” one voter said. “No one wanted to go through that again.”
The voter added bluntly: “In a way, we were protecting Ariana from her anxiety — and Cynthia from having to intervene. Again.”
While Wicked: For Good succeeded in generating attention, insiders suggest that attention alone wasn’t enough to carry Grande to an Oscar nomination — and may have ultimately worked against her.
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