‘Wicked’ stars keep awards-season buzz alive

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo reunited on stage in Hollywood for a stripped-back performance of “For Good,” the emotional duet from the film Wicked: For Good. At a small industry event at the Aster Hotel, the two leads sang with only a pianist behind them, leaning into close harmonies rather than blockbuster staging. The appearance is part of a broader awards-season push for the musical, which has already picked up major nominations at the Golden Globes, SAG Awards, BAFTAs and the Oscars. Director Jon M. Chu was in the audience alongside producers and campaign strategists, underscoring how crucial live moments like this have become in keeping a film in front of voters.

Awards calculus and the return of live vocals

For Grande, the performance doubles as a soft launch of her return to the stage ahead of a limited tour next year, following years of focusing on recording and acting. Erivo, already a decorated stage performer, used the night to remind voters of her live-theatre roots and vocal range. The pair also treated guests to an extra number, “Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again,” nodding to classic divas as they made their case to a room full of decision-makers. Beyond the campaign, the event reflects a wider trend: in a year of big-budget spectacles and heavy CGI, studios are betting that intimate, vocally driven performances can cut through the noise and reconnect audiences with the core appeal of movie musicals. Whether Wicked converts its buzz into major wins or not, nights like this show that awards campaigns now run as much through boutique hotel ballrooms as they do through trailers and billboards.