Fans of Wicked shared their reactions to predictions that Ariana Grande could win an Oscar for her role as Glinda.
Many enthusiasts took to social media the day after the first of the two-part, beloved musical adaptation movie premiered in theaters.
After longtime and new fans alike watched the pop singer’s performance in Wicked, a flurry of people started commenting on social media.
Regarding the speculation that she is on track to receive a nomination as well as win her first Oscar for her role as Glinda, a majority of people seemed to share the same sentiment.
This comes after reports that Wicked earned the biggest opening day for a film based on a Broadway adaptation in domestic box office history and is projected to earn $117 million in just the opening weekend alone.
One avid fan of Grande lauded the film critic George Carmi for saying the actress ‘deserves the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.’
‘Thank you [George Carmi], we appreciate you,’ the fan account penned on X, formerly Twitter.
Alongside a still image of Grande in the role of Glinda in the movie, another fan tweeted: ‘Give Ariana Grande the Oscar or at least Golden Globe for best performance in a comedy.’
In reaction to Variety’s prediction that the star is the frontrunner to win the Oscar, an X user wrote: ”And the Oscar goes to … ARIANA GRANDE!!!!!!!’ I can hear it so clearly.’
Another fan tweeted that they were questioning the casting last year: ‘Me a year ago: ‘Really? Ariana Grande in Wicked? Idk… Does she really have the acting chops?”
After watching the movie, the Wicked fan shared their new reaction. ‘Me tonight: ‘Wicked is a near perfect movie and Ariana Grande is maybe the best thing about it. Holy s*** she’s so good! Is she gonna win the Oscar?”
Another fan applauded her ‘great acting performance’ and cosigned the sentiment that she deserves an award,
‘After seeing Wicked, I’m incredibly confused by the hate Ariana Grande has been getting online… Not only was it a great acting performance by somebody who’s primarily a singer, but I think she deserves serious Oscar consideration.
The re-telling of Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda’s story premiered in wide release this weekend but Variety is already predicting Ariana will not only be nominated for an Academy Award, but she will win it.
‘As Glinda, Grande brings charm and wit to a character known for her bubbly exterior and hidden depth. The 31-year-old pop star commands each of Glinda’s signature numbers, including a delightful rendition of Popular,’ the outlet reported.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t her singing that the outlet believes was the best part of her performance. It was her comedic timing and zippy one liners.
‘But her knack for comedic timing makes her performance stand out. Her delivery of various one-liners and zingers is one of the film’s highlights, and it could ultimately position her for a first-time Oscar nomination in the best supporting actress category.’
The praise continued: ‘Grande’s Glinda is both endearing and hilarious, making her a strong contender in an award race that often favors musical talents.
Nominations for the 2025 Oscars will be announced on January 17, 2025.
While that day is still two months away and the heavy hitting films and roles are just coming out, it is definitely not too early for critics to pinpoint real contenders and Grande is one of them.
She is expected to compete in the category with Zoe Saldana for her role in Emilia Pérez, Isabella Rossellini for Conclave, Saoirise Ronan for Blitz and Monica Barbaro for A Complete Unknown.
And Grande isn’t the only Academy Award nominee or winner from Wicked that Variety is predicting.
The Hollywood trade paper is also predicting the movie will bring home the coveted gold statuette for Production Design andCostume Design, and also have nominations for Best Actress for Cynthia and Best Director for Jon M. Chu.
While Grande and Erivo are earning rave reviews from critics and audiences, they almost weren’t cast in the film.
British filmmaker Stephen Daldry was originally set to direct the spectacle and had big plans to cast Lady Gaga as Elphaba and Shawn Mendes as Fiyero, according to Page Six.
‘They had meetings, the two of them, about the character and who she would be. [Gaga] was essentially cast in his version, and then it fell through,’ the outlet’s source said.
But Daldry’s vision never came to be — he left the project in 2020 due to scheduling conflicts.
Enter Jon M. Chu, who took over as director and reimagined the cast, ultimately bringing Erivo on as Elphaba, Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.
DailyMail’s Brian Viner also sung the film’s praises, writing, ‘Chu and the writers have enormous fun and are superbly served by the cast: Erivo and Grande are both pitch-perfect and altogether sensational.’
He added: ‘Michelle Yeoh, Bailey and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard offer splendid support.’
