Wicked Stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande to Compete in Separate Oscar Categories
The team managing the awards campaigns for the stars of Wicked: For Good, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, have decided to submit them for separate Oscar categories. Erivo, portraying Elphaba Thropp, will be promoted for best actress, while Grande, playing Glinda Upland, will be pushed for best supporting actress. Both actors received nominations for various awards for their roles in the highly-anticipated sequel, maintaining their respective categories. This decision contrasts with the original Broadway production, where both actresses competed for the best actress in a musical category.
The history of the Oscars shows that only a few films have managed to secure nominations for multiple actresses in the best actress category. Therefore, the decision to submit Erivo and Grande in separate categories aims to avoid a scenario where they compete against each other. Several performers have received Oscar nominations for playing the same character in different years, with Sylvester Stallone, Paul Newman, Cate Blanchett, Al Pacino, Peter O’Toole, and Bing Crosby being notable examples.
If Erivo receives an Oscar nomination, it would be her fourth career nomination, following her previous nominations for best actress and best original song for Harriet. Grande, on the other hand, would earn her second career nomination if she secures a spot. A win for Erivo would also mean she completes an EGOT, a prestigious achievement in the entertainment industry.