Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo’s Oscars Performance Perfectly Honored 3 Different The Wizard Of Oz Eras

The 2025 Oscars opened with a formidable efficiency from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, and the Depraved stars paid tribute to a few separate The Wizard of Oz eras. Depraved‘s 10 Oscar nominations and recognition all through its theatrical run have been completely paired with the announcement that the 2 stars can be the opening performers. Whereas the Oscars 2025 winners have been inevitably the principle occasion of the night, Erivo and Grande’s efficiency, alongside Conan O’Brien’s opening monologue, set proceedings off to an incredible begin.

Depraved was one of the crucial profitable motion pictures of 2024, serving as an adaptation of the primary half of the Broadway musical. Erivo and Grande made a splash as Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, and their returns in Wicked: For Good in November 2025 are eagerly anticipated. The 2 stars have nice chemistry onscreen and off, and their performances of a number of completely different The Wizard of Oz-themed songs on the 2025 Oscars ceremony strengthened how thrilling will probably be to see their characters within the sequel.

Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande’s Medley At The Oscars 2025 Used Songs From The Wizard Of Oz, The Wiz & Depraved

The three Wizard Of OuncesMovies Meshed Effectively Collectively

The Oscars’ opening performance by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande was comprised of three completely different songs from numerous The Wizard of Oz motion pictures. The efficiency started with Ariana Grande alone on the stage singing “Someplace Over the Rainbow.” After Grande’s first efficiency, Cynthia Erivo took heart stage to carry out “Residence”. The 2 then joined collectively to carry out “Defying Gravity” to the delight of the viewers.

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Grande and Erivo’s performances created a becoming homage to every of the movies set on the planet of Oz. “Someplace Over the Rainbow” represented an emotive selection from the unique The Wizard of Oz, “Residence” supplied a heartfelt addition from The Wiz, and “Defying Gravity” has develop into essentially the most well-known music from Depraved. The mix of the three felt like a poignant strategy to honor the whole historical past of the enduring Hollywood franchise.

It is Nice Cynthia Erivo & Ariana Grande Honored The Wizard Of OuncesMovies Earlier than Depraved

The Medley Connects The World Of OuncesTogether

Combining these three songs into the Oscars’ opening efficiency completely related the differing tales of the world of Oz. Whereas the vast majority of viewers are possible acquainted with The Wizard of Oz and “Someplace Over the Rainbow,” Cynthia Erivo’s efficiency of “Residence” might have additionally served as an incredible introduction to The Wiz for a lot of viewers members. Whereas The Wiz by no means obtained loads of acclaim following its 1978 launch, its nice rating and forged are undoubtedly worthy of latest consideration after the success Depraved has skilled.

Why Ariana Grande & Cynthia Erivo Did not Use Any Depraved 2 Songs At The Oscars

It is Good To Hold The New Songs For The Film

Although some Depraved followers might have anticipated listening to one of many songs from the second half of Depraved following the announcement that Erivo and Grande can be performing, it’s really for the most effective that they targeted on the franchise’s previous. The selection of songs and the order they have been carried out in replicate on the historical past of The Wizard of Oz and the way these tales have modified over time. A music from a future film would have ruined that chronological concord.

There may be a lot pleasure surrounding Depraved: For Good, however performing the brand new songs too quickly may take away from that anticipation.

Along with being a strategy to present respect for the franchise’s historical past, it additionally makes extra sense for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo to maintain Depraved: For Good‘s songs for the film. There may be a lot pleasure surrounding Depraved: For Good, however performing the brand new songs too quickly may take away from that anticipation. Because the Oscars‘ goal is to honor the most effective motion pictures of the previous 12 months moderately than look ahead to the subsequent, the opening efficiency was a good way to showcase the historical past of a timeless franchise.