Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who are both stars in the movie Wicked, have been confirmed to perform at this year’s Oscars, which will take place on Sunday. According to The Hollywood Reporter, these talented singers will kick off the ceremony with their performance.
In addition to Grande and Erivo, several other artists are scheduled to perform during the award show. Doja Cat, Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink, Queen Latifah, and Raye will also join in to deliver special performances that celebrate the filmmaking industry and honor some of its legendary figures, as noted by the Academy.
Although it’s currently unclear what specific songs Grande and Erivo will sing, potential choices could include popular tracks like “Popular,” “Defying Gravity,” or “What Is This Feeling?” There is much excitement around their performance, especially since it is planned to open the show.
Earlier in the month, Puck reported that the Oscars would begin with a medley from Wicked. However, it wasn’t officially confirmed at the time, which is why Erivo denied that it was already set to happen. Nevertheless, it seems that everyone involved has come together to make this opening a reality. The Academy and ABC, which broadcasts the Oscars, likely believe that featuring the stars from what is expected to be one of 2024’s biggest films will help draw in more viewers. For the actors and the entire Wicked team, this is also a great opportunity to promote their upcoming film sequel, Wicked: For Good.
However, decisions regarding the Oscars are often met with some controversy, and this situation will probably be no different. In January, the Academy announced that this year they would focus less on live performances of songs that were nominated for Oscars and instead pay more attention to the stories behind the songwriters. This change might upset the nominated songwriters since the show will feature performances of songs that are not even in the running for an Oscar. None of the songs from Wicked were eligible for the Best Original Song category because they were part of the Broadway production.
While Wicked songs are certainly well-known, this year’s Oscar-nominated songs include “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. These songs, while deserving of recognition, may not be as popular or recognizable as the music from Wicked.
Just three years ago, the Oscars included a performance of the Encanto hit song “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” despite it not being submitted for Oscar consideration before it became a major hit. That song was performed alongside the Oscar-nominated tracks, not in place of them, showcasing how the Oscars have previously integrated popular music and nominated music.
This year’s decision to feature Wicked songs may bring about debates among fans and insiders as they weigh the importance of honoring current nominations against the undeniable popularity of certain musical performances.