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

When Wicked debuted in 2024, it quickly became a major awards player. The first film earned ten Oscar nominations and helped turn Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande into two of the biggest names of that awards season. Many expected that success to carry over to the sequel.

That did not happen. When the 2026 Oscar nominations were announced on January 22, Wicked: For Good was completely shut out. The sequel did not receive a single nomination, including acting nods for Erivo or Grande. Fans were surprised, especially given how strongly the first movie performed.

According to NewsNation, anonymous Oscar voters later explained why the Academy chose to pass on the film. Several voters said the sequel simply did not work as well as the first. A major issue, they claimed, was how little time the two leads spent together on screen.

The movie wasn’t that great. The two have amazing on-screen chemistry but spent most of the movie apart, one voter told NewsNation. That decision reportedly weakened the story and took away what many loved most about the original film.

But the criticism did not stop with the movie itself. Some voters said the off-screen behavior of the stars during the press tour played a role in their decision. According to these voters, the promotional campaign became uncomfortable to watch.

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 said. The close bond between Erivo and Grande during interviews and red carpet events reportedly made some Academy members uneasy.

One voter was especially direct, saying the snub was intentional. 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, they said to NewsNation. Think of it this way: We were protecting Ariana from her anxiety — and Cynthia from having to intervene. Again.

These comments have sparked backlash online, with many fans arguing that awards should be based on the film itself, not the behavior of its cast during press events. Others believe the Academy’s reaction shows how much image and campaigning still matter during awards season.

Wicked: For Good was the final chapter in Universal’s two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical. The film also starred Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Jeff Goldblum, and Michelle Yeoh.

Despite the Oscar snub, both lead actresses remain busy. Ariana Grande is preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, set to begin in June. Cynthia Erivo is performing a one-woman version of Dracula in London’s West End, where she plays all twenty-three characters. She is also attached to upcoming film projects including Prima Facie and Children of Blood and Bone.

The Oscar shutout continues to divide audiences. Do you think the Academy was right to factor in the press tour, or should only the film itself matter? Share your thoughts in the comments.