Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo Triumph at Grammys After ‘Wicked’ Oscar Snub
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo emerged victorious at the recent Grammy Awards, claiming the trophy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Their collaboration on the duet “Defying Gravity,” featured in the upcoming movie musical “Wicked,” garnered significant acclaim during the ceremony held on February 1, 2024. This triumph comes on the heels of disappointment, as both artists were notably overlooked for Oscar nominations for “Wicked: For Good.”
Grammy Victory Amid Oscar Snub
The Grammy win marks an important milestone, especially considering their previous Oscar nominations for the first installment of “Wicked,” which received ten nominations, including Best Picture and acting nods for the lead roles. In contrast, the sequel has struggled to achieve similar recognition.
Significant Competition
“Defying Gravity” triumphed over a competitive field, which included notable nominations such as:
- KATSEYE’s “Gabriela”
- “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters”
- SZA’s “30 for 30” featuring Kendrick Lamar
- “Apt.” by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars
Ariana Grande’s Grammy Journey
This Grammy win is only Grande’s third, despite her receiving 19 nominations over the years. Her previous victories include:
- Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Rain on Me” with Lady Gaga in 2021
- Best Pop Vocal Album for “Sweetener” in 2019
Cynthia Erivo’s Recognition
For Erivo, this award adds to her growing collection, now totaling two Grammy wins. Her first was for Best Musical Theater Album for “The Color Purple” in 2017. Erivo is also on track to achieve EGOT status, having previously won an Emmy and a Tony Award.
Future Endeavors
Neither artist attended the pre-show ceremony to accept their award. They continue to pursue their careers, with Erivo preparing for her one-woman play “Dracula” in London. Grande, on the other hand, has faced ongoing challenges and past tensions with the Grammy Awards, having last attended the ceremony in 2020.
Despite the mixed reception of “Wicked: For Good,” Grande’s performance as Glinda has earned her nominations from prestigious award bodies, such as the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards.
