The 2026 Academy Awards nominations were revealed and one of the most talked about films of the year found itself on the outside looking in. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who both starred in the highly anticipated musical adaptation Wicked For Good, were shockingly left off the nominations list entirely. No acting nods. No major recognition. Just silence.
Fans and industry insiders were not ready.
For months, awards season buzz painted Ariana Grande as a serious contender, especially following strong early reactions to her dramatic turn and her aggressive awards campaign. Cynthia Erivo, already an Oscar nominee in the past, was also widely expected to land another nod given her vocal performance and emotional depth in the film.
Instead, the Academy went in a completely different direction.
Within minutes of the nominations announcement, social media exploded. Fans accused the Academy of ignoring blockbuster performances in favor of smaller prestige projects. Others questioned whether musicals are still being taken seriously during awards season, despite their massive cultural impact.
What made the snub sting even more was the level of visibility surrounding the film. Wicked For Good dominated headlines, premieres, interviews, and red carpets leading up to nomination day. The absence of both leading stars felt intentional to many viewers, not accidental.
While neither Ariana Grande nor Cynthia Erivo has publicly responded yet, the silence has only fueled speculation. Insiders say the shut out could reshape how studios approach future musical releases and Oscar campaigns moving forward.
One thing is clear. This snub will be remembered.
Whether fans agree with the Academy or not, the conversation is far from over and the fallout is only beginning.
