Oscar voters reportedly snubbed Ariana Grande over Cynthia Erivo’s comments

The Oscar snub news

The 2026 Oscar nominations sparked widespread media discussion when major names were unexpectedly left out of the list. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, stars of Wicked: For Good, were notably absent from any category this year.

This outcome surprised fans and industry watchers, given their high visibility in the awards season. The lack of nominations has become one of the biggest talking points surrounding this year’s Oscars.

What happened with “Wicked: For Good”

The sequel Wicked: For Good did not receive a single Oscar nomination in the recent announcement. Unlike its predecessor, which earned ten nominations at the 2025 Oscars, the follow‑up was completely shut out.

Critics noted this was a stark contrast to audience expectations during the awards season. The absence of recognition extended from acting to major categories overall.

How Grande and Erivo were affected

Both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were left out of all acting categories at the 2026 Oscars. Grande had played Glinda, and Erivo portrayed Elphaba in the film, roles that had been central to campaign conversations.

Their omission was particularly shocking to fans who followed the awards trail closely. Neither performer received a nomination from the Academy this year.

Audience reaction online

Fans reacted strongly online after seeing the nominations list without Grande or Erivo’s names. Many expressed disappointment and surprise at how the film and its stars were overlooked.

Some social media users described the situation as a missed opportunity for recognition. The snub quickly became a trending topic in entertainment circles.

Opinion from fellow artists

Singer Charlie Puth publicly weighed in on the situation after the nominations were revealed. He said the absence of nominations for Grande and Erivo was a “disappointment.”

Puth highlighted that their performances this year had resonated with audiences and deserved acknowledgment. His remarks added a new voice to the ongoing discussion.

Critics’ context on Oscar voting

Critics have pointed out that award voters often respond to broader patterns in a film’s reception and overall industry buzz. Wicked: For Good received mixed reviews compared to the first installment, which had been widely praised.

Some industry observers believe this combination of factors may have influenced voting decisions during the Oscar nominations process.

The film’s relative underperformance with critics, compared to expectations, likely played a role in its complete snub.

Comparison to other snubs

This year’s Oscars saw other surprising omissions alongside Grande and Erivo. Actors like Paul Mescal in Hamnet and Jessie Buckley in Women Talking were also left out of nominations unexpectedly.

The list of oversights highlighted how competitive this year’s awards landscape has become. Many strong contenders across various categories were passed over by voters, leaving fans and critics alike to debate the choices and wonder which performances truly deserved recognition.

Awards season context

Before the Oscars, both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo had already gained recognition at other award shows earlier in the season. Ariana Grande earned a supporting actor nomination at the 32nd Actor Awards presented by SAG AFTRA earlier in the season.

Erivo also earned critical acclaim and earlier awards recognition for her work in Wicked: For Good. Despite this positive momentum, neither of these earlier nods ultimately translated into Oscar nominations, surprising fans and industry observers alike.

How “Wicked” franchise history factors in

The Wicked franchise began with a strong awards history that set high expectations for follow‑ups, including acting and technical categories. The first movie’s success made this year’s snub feel even more dramatic and surprising to observers across the industry.

Awards season supporters had anticipated continued recognition for performers like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, given their high-profile roles.

That context fed into the sense of shock and disappointment around their omission, sparking discussions online and among critics about what influenced Academy voters this year.

Industry discussion on voting patterns

Industry commentators have weighed in on how Oscar voting can sometimes favor certain films over others. The Academy’s preferences vary year to year and are influenced by many factors. Competition from other films this season was unusually strong.

That strength may have made it harder for Wicked: For Good to break through, but it also makes you wonder how films with such strong performances could shake up the awards scene.

With Oscar predictions suggesting a changing race as the new year begins, maybe there’s more room than we think for surprises.

Looking ahead to the ceremony

As the Oscars ceremony approaches, attention remains on the surprising omissions. Grande and Erivo’s absence from the nomination list is now part of the broader awards conversation. The ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, with many eyes on what unfolds live.

Discussions about this year’s voting choices are likely to continue through the show, especially as Lee Cronin’s standout work on ‘Evil Dead Rise’ earned him the Oscar Wilde award, sparking even more chatter among fans.

What do you think about this year’s Oscar nominations? Were Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo unfairly overlooked, or was this voting outcome justified given the competition? Let us know your thoughts!

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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