Cynthia Erivo eyes Best Actress, Ariana Grande set for Supporting race in ‘Wicked: For Good’

Cynthia Erivo will campaign for Best Actress and Ariana Grande for Best Supporting Actress for ‘Wicked: For Good’

The awards campaign for Wicked: For Good is officially locked, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande set to compete in separate Oscar categories, The Hollywood Reporter confirms.

Universal Pictures has decided that Erivo will campaign for Best Actress for her role as Elphaba Thropp, while Grande will pursue Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Glinda Upland.

This mirrors the awards strategy from 2024’s Wicked, where both stars earned nominations across major ceremonies including the Critics Choice Awards, SAG Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and Academy Awards. Insiders note that the decision to maintain category separation was based on their screen time and character prominence in Jon M. Chu’s highly anticipated sequel, set for release on November 21, 2025.

Unlike the original Broadway production, where Idina Menzel (Elphaba) and Kristin Chenoweth (Glinda) competed head-to-head for Best Actress in a Musical, this film campaign avoids potential category overlap. Statistically, it’s rare for two actresses from the same film to earn Best Actress nominations — only five films have achieved that in Oscar history, including All About Eve (1950) and Thelma & Louise (1991).

An Oscar nod for Erivo would mark her fourth nomination, following her acclaimed performance and songwriting recognition for Harriet (2019). For Grande, this would be her second Oscar nomination, cementing her growing presence in Hollywood’s top tier.

If Erivo wins, she would complete her EGOT status, joining the ranks of entertainment’s most elite performers. With early awards buzz already surrounding Wicked: For Good, both stars are poised to dominate the 2026 Oscars season.