Ariana Oscars 2025: What Most People Get Wrong About Her Glinda Run

You’ve probably seen the clips. Ariana Grande, draped in pink, eyes welling up as she describes her "tiny self" watching Judy Garland. It’s the kind of awards season narrative that Hollywood absolutely devours, but the 2025 Oscars cycle wasn't just a victory lap for a pop star playing dress-up. It was a massive, high-stakes gamble that changed the trajectory of her career.

Honestly, the Ariana Oscars 2025 journey started way before the first ballot was cast. While the world knew her as the high-ponytail hitmaker, the Academy saw a theater kid coming home.

When the nominations dropped on January 23, 2025, the industry held its breath. Ariana snagged a nod for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda in Wicked. Her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, landed in the Best Actress category. It was a clean sweep for the "Wicked" family, with the film pulling 10 nominations total. But for Ariana, it was personal. She wasn’t just a nominee; she was a record-breaker.

The Screentime Controversy: Lead or Supporting?

There’s been a ton of chatter about whether she even belonged in the supporting category. Basically, Ariana was on screen for 1 hour, 11 minutes, and 25 seconds. That is roughly 44.59% of the movie.

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In the world of the Academy, that’s huge. It made her one of the longest-running Supporting Actress nominees in history, trailing just behind Jennifer Jones in 1944. Pundits called it "category fraud," a tactical move by Universal to ensure she and Erivo didn't cannibalize each other’s votes in the Lead category. It worked, but it sparked a massive debate on Reddit and among film purists. Was it fair to put a co-lead in the supporting race? Maybe not. But it’s how the game is played.

Ariana didn't seem to care about the technicalities. On Instagram, she was a mess of "lemons and melons and pears," thanking director Jon M. Chu for taking a chance on her. She even mentioned studying Garland’s "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" as a kid. It was the ultimate full-circle moment.

The Night of the Ceremony: What Really Happened

March 2, 2025. The Dolby Theatre was buzzing. Ariana and Cynthia opened the show with a performance of "Defying Gravity" that literally brought the house down. It was a statement. They weren't just there to sit in the front row; they were there to remind everyone why Wicked was a billion-dollar phenomenon.

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But then came the actual award.

The Ariana Oscars 2025 win that fans were screaming for didn't happen. The Oscar went to Zoe Saldaña for Emilia Pérez.

• The Reaction: Ariana was the first to stand up. No fake smiles, just genuine applause for Saldaña, who had been the season's frontrunner.
• The Fallout: Social media went into a tailspin. "Oscar Nominee Ariana Grande" was trending for 48 hours.
• The Consensus: Pundits like Clayton Davis from Variety argued that while Grande was spectacular, Saldaña’s transformative role in a gritty musical drama had the "prestige" edge the Academy craves.

Why 2025 Was Just the Beginning

If you think the story ended at the 2025 ceremony, you’re missing the bigger picture. Because Wicked was split into two parts, Ariana got a rare "second bite at the apple."

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The sequel, Wicked: For Good, hit theaters in November 2025. As we move into the 2026 awards circuit, the conversation has shifted. Critics are saying her performance in the second half is even deeper. She’s no longer just the bubbly "Popular" girl; she’s a leader grappling with moral failure.

The Ariana Oscars 2025 era proved she had the chops. It silenced the skeptics who thought she was just a "quirky, childish" actress. Now, as the 2026 nominations loom (scheduled for January 22), she’s already secured nods from the SAG Awards (now called the Actor Awards) and the Golden Globes for the sequel.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Pundits

If you're following her award trajectory, keep these specific points in mind:

1. Watch the "Category Fraud" Narrative: Expect more debate this year. If she stays in Supporting for the sequel, the "screentime" argument will return with a vengeance.
2. Vocal Performance vs. Acting: Academy voters often struggle with musical stars. Grande's path to a win relies on her dramatic "close-up" moments in the sequel, not just her high notes.
3. The "Tiny Ari" Brand: Her campaign is built on nostalgia. Watch for her to continue referencing her theater roots to build E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) within the acting community.
4. The Erivo Factor: Notice how she defends her co-star. When Erivo was snubbed at the 2026 Critics Choice, Ariana was the first to speak to Variety about it. This "sisterhood" narrative is a powerful tool for Oscar voters who value "classy" campaigns.

Ariana Grande has effectively transitioned from a pop icon to a legitimate prestige actress. The 2025 loss wasn't a failure; it was the foundation. Whether she takes home the gold in 2026 or not, the "bubble" has officially burst, and she’s standing on solid ground.