Oscar Voters Reportedly Admit Skipping Ariana Grande Over “Creepy” Cynthia Erivo Relationship

While the initial chapter of the Oz prequel secured ten Oscar nominations and positioned leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as major awards season powerhouses, the tide turned dramatically following the 2025 release of the sequel, Wicked: For Good. Despite the success of its predecessor, the second installment failed to garner a single nomination when the 2026 Oscar nods were announced on January 22.

Both Grande and Erivo were noticeably absent from their respective acting categories, leaving a global fanbase in a state of confusion. According to reports from NewsNation, anonymous members of the voting committee have since come forward to explain the reasoning behind the total shutout.

One primary criticism focused on the structure of the sequel itself. Voters reportedly felt that the film failed to capitalize on the central dynamic that made the first movie a success.

The movie wasn’t that great. The two have amazing on-screen chemistry but spent most of the movie apart, one anonymous voter stated during an interview with NewsNation. This sentiment suggested that by keeping the leads separated for a large portion of the runtime, the emotional core of the story was significantly diminished.

Beyond the technical aspects of the film, the industry’s reaction to the stars’ off-screen behavior played a surprising role in the snub. The promotional tour for the sequel became a point of contention for several members of the Academy.

I was also just completely turned off by their promotional performances. They creeped a lot of people out and in their rush to feel authentic, came off as cosplaying, another voter noted. The intense public bond between the two actresses apparently created a sense of unease within the voting body.

Specific attention was given to what some perceived as over-the-top or performative interactions during press events. Critics of the campaign pointed toward Cynthia Erivo’s protective stance toward Ariana Grande as a factor that may have distracted from the work itself.

One voter was particularly blunt about the decision to overlook the film and its stars. They claimed the snub was a deliberate move to distance the Academy from the atmosphere of the recent media cycle.

The movie wasn’t that good and (Erivo and Grande) sucked the air out of any red carpet they were on — and no one wanted to go through that again, the voter remarked to NewsNation. Think of it this way: We were protecting Ariana from her anxiety — and Cynthia from having to intervene. Again.

These comments have triggered a massive debate among cinema enthusiasts regarding the criteria used for awards. Many fans argue that a film should be judged solely on its narrative and technical merits rather than the personal dynamics of its cast during a marketing tour.

Wicked: For Good served as the conclusion to Universal Pictures’ massive two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical. It featured a supporting cast including Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh.

Since the film’s release, the lead actors have moved on to diverse new projects. Ariana Grande is currently preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, which is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and mark her return to major live performing.

Cynthia Erivo has returned to her stage roots with a highly anticipated one-woman production of Dracula in London’s West End. In this unique adaptation, Erivo is tasked with playing all twenty-three characters throughout the performance.

Additionally, Erivo is set to star in the upcoming film adaptation of the play Prima Facie and will join the cast of Children of Blood and Bone. While the Oscar snub remains a hot topic, both stars continue to see significant commercial success and high demand for their talents.

Let us know if you think the Academy was right to consider the press tour when making their decisions in the comments.