Wicked: For Good’s Ariana Grande Winning Best Supporting Would Be A Mistake

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The highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good, has arrived, significantly impacting the potential contenders for the 2026 Oscars. The first film was a huge success last year, earning 10 Academy Award nominations in 2025 – second only to Emilia Pérez, and tied with The Brutalist. Though considered an underdog for Best Picture, it won awards for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.

A key reason the movie Wicked wasn’t initially favored for awards was the Academy’s preference for complete stories, not just the first part of a two-part adaptation. This led to a firm release date for Wicked: For Good coinciding with the Oscars season. Director Jon M. Chu hoped splitting the musical into two films would build momentum – positive reception for the first film would carry over to the second, potentially making it a strong awards contender. In particular, the performances of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were seen as likely to earn nominations, as they were already recognized for their work in the first film.

While reviews for Wicked: For Good are generally good, it hasn’t been as enthusiastically received as the original. It’s unlikely to become as massive a hit as shows like One Battle After Another, Hamnet, and Sinners. However, the leading actors are receiving a lot of positive attention, and Ariana Grande is still a strong contender to win Best Supporting Actress.

That would, however, be a mistake by the Academy – twice over.

Glinda Isn’t A Supporting Character In Wicked: For Good

After the huge success of Wicked, everyone wondered how Part Two would handle the remaining story. A big topic of discussion was how the film would balance the roles of its two main stars. While they could be seen as equal leads, Glinda often felt more like a supporting character in a story that mainly focused on Elphaba. Some people even suggested this dynamic might change in For Good.

It’s funny how quickly people moved on from the initial buzz! When Oscar prediction season rolled around, everyone kept putting Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the same categories, and suddenly Ariana became a real contender in people’s minds. Right now, it looks like Jessie Buckley from Hamnet is going to win Best Actress, but Best Supporting Actress feels wide open. I’m worried Teyana Taylor and Regina Hall might end up splitting the vote, and Elle Fanning’s chances from Sentimental Value seem to be fading. Honestly, Ariana Grande could actually win this – it feels very possible!

After seeing Wicked: For Good, it’s clear this film truly belongs to Glinda. Like Elphaba had in Wicked: Part One, Glinda gets the detailed look into her past, and she’s the one who undergoes the most significant personal changes. While Erivo’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch is strong, this movie, similar to the first one focusing on Elphaba, centers around Glinda’s journey.

Ideally, Universal would be campaigning Ariana Grande as the lead actress, and Cynthia Erivo for a supporting role. However, Grande has gained significant traction as a supporting actress, making a change in strategy unlikely at this point. It’s a shame, especially considering the strong performances in supporting categories this year.

Ariana Grande Would Be Winning For The Wrong Wicked Movie

If Ariana Grande wins, it wouldn’t just be a mistake in who won the category – the Academy would also be recognizing her for a different movie than the one she should be winning for.

Both actresses playing Glinda in Wicked filmed their parts simultaneously, leading some to see them as a single, unified performance. However, the two Glindas are noticeably distinct. The Glinda in Wicked is mostly a comedic role with moments of drama, while the Glinda in For Good is primarily dramatic with comedic touches.

Ariana Grande’s popularity soared this year largely because people find her genuinely funny. She’d hinted at her comedic skills before, through acting and a memorable appearance hosting Saturday Night Live, but her role as Glinda in the upcoming Wicked movie really allowed that side of her to shine. Both musical fans and Hollywood quickly embraced her in the role.

The Academy wasn’t quite ready to recognize her performance as a leading role, even though it was a breakthrough for her. Zoe Saldaña ultimately won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, and the win felt particularly good because the film had faced some controversy. This gave her a chance to be celebrated after years of success in big-budget movies, and it created a strong story that contrasted with the growing support for Ariana Grande.

Cynthia Erivo has another shot at an Academy Award, and support for her performance remains strong. However, recognizing her for the more serious side of her role doesn’t quite feel right, as it overlooks the joyful Glinda that audiences adored. If she wins, it will likely be seen as an award for the first Wicked film rather than her work in For Good, particularly since the new movie hasn’t been as well-received.

Ariana Grande appears to be making smart choices with her career – she’s joining the cast of Focker In-Law, the latest Meet the Parents sequel, which will allow her to showcase her comedic talent. However, the Academy Awards have already missed the opportunity to properly recognize her work, and a belated Best Supporting Actress win in 2026 would feel like a correction rather than genuine praise.

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2025-11-22 02:02