“It’s a really f**king hard job…”: Cynthia Erivo Will Raise Hell if Ariana Grande Doesn’t Win the Oscar but Zoe Saldaña May Ruin Wicked’s Parade

SUMMARY

• With the release of Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo have made themselves a permanent part of entertainment pop-culture.
• The musical adaptation took the world by storm and is currently a favorite for multiple Oscars, including for Grande.
• While Erivo supports Grande being a favorite and said she would raise hell if she was snubbed, the singer-actress faces stiff competition from Emilia Perez's Zoe Saldaña.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande seem to be holding space for themselves at the Oscars this year with their memorable performances in Wicked. Both of them have been strong contenders for the big awards in their respective categories and are also extremely supportive of each others’ work in the film (those tears just never stop).

Grande’s performance as Glinda has generated a lot of buzz and she seems to be among the top contenders for an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. However, Emilia Perez’s Zoe Saldaña is reportedly coming in at a close second with her incredibly received performance in the musical crime comedy.

Cynthia Erivo gives her vehement support for Ariana Grande to receive an Oscar nomination

Ariana Grande in Wicked | Credits: Universal Pictures

The musical of the season, Wicked, has gained the love of fans from around the world. A prequel to The Wizard of Oz based on the novel and stage musical of the same name, Wicked took the world by storm because of its unique creative vision, performances from lead actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and timely themes.

Not only was the film a box office success (a sequel is set to release this year), but it has also received critical appreciation and seems to be an awards favorite. Both Grande and Erivo have received Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress respectively, and the film has been nominated for Best Motion Picture.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked | Credits: Universal Pictures

While the Oscar buzz surrounding Ariana Grande has been increasing and she seems to be at the top of the list, her co-star Erivo gave her endorsement to the singer-actress, citing the incredible amounts of hard work she had done for the film. She said to Variety,

I will raise hell if this lady does not get her nomination. It’s a really f*cking hard job to jump into the middle of something like this and have it be your first time…Lucille Ball: She’s the return of that. And it made her heart happy to do this, which makes me happy.

Grande’s performance as Glinda has received unanimous praise and she has been regarded as a breakout star with the film.

Ariana Grande faces stiff competition from another musical actress this year

Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Perez | Credits: Pathe

2024 brought in several acclaimed performances from stalwart actresses. Be it Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as two sides of the same body in the most popular horror film of the year The Substance, or Isabella Rossellini’s performance in the papal thriller Conclave, the competition is fierce this year.

Ariana Grande’s popularity as a singer and her incredible turn as Glinda in Wicked has definitely gained recognition from both general audiences and critics. She received a Golden Globe nomination and according to Variety, is a strong contender for the Oscar. Historically, singers and musicals have been an Oscar favorite.

However, she is not the only musical star to be in the mix. In fact, she is not the only pop star in contention as Selena Gomez’s performance in the musical crime film Emilia Perez has received similar acclaim from critics and she secured herself a Golden Globe nomination. Her co-star and fellow nominee Zoe Saldaña seems to have the upper hand though.

Saldaña’s performance as Rita, the lawyer, has generated strong buzz within the industry and among critics. Many have commended her for the role and she seems to be a strong competitor for Grande in the Supporting Actress category, even more so than Gomez. Saldaña’s box office history has also made her a strong presence.

Written by Nishanth A

Articles Published: 1704

Nishanth A is a Media, English and Psychology graduate from Bangalore. He is an avid DC fanboy and loves the films of Christopher Nolan. He has published over 1,000 articles on FandomWire. When he's not fixating on the entire filmography of a director, he tries to write and direct films.