Ariana Grande’s ‘Wicked’ Performance Earns Critics Choice Recognition Despite Loss
Despite not taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress, Ariana Grande’s critically acclaimed performance as Glinda in Wicked: For Good was a highlight of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, held on Sunday, January 4th, at California’s Barker Hangar. The award ultimately went to Amy Madigan for her role in Weapons.
Grande, 32, was recognized alongside fellow nominees Elle Fanning (Sentimental Value), Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another).
The second installment of the film adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical, Wicked: For Good, also received six additional Critics Choice Award nominations, including a nod for Best Picture. Grande’s transformation into the Good Witch of the North, a role she had long aspired to play, has been widely praised.
“Maybe people underestimate how long we spent finding and disappearing into these women,” Grande shared in a January 2025 interview with Variety, referencing both her own process and that of co-star Cynthia Erivo, who portrays Elphaba. “When certain inflections or mannerisms take time to melt away, sometimes people poke fun, but we had a job to do, and we had things to get lost in — because that’s what the piece required.” She further elaborated on the vocal demands of the role, stating, “Glinda required a lot of vocal work for me. Certain things maybe won’t melt away. Some will, but I’m really grateful for the pieces that will stay with us forever. What a beautiful thing to be left with, and to feel the ghost of every day.”
A striking image captures Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba in ‘Wicked: For Good.’ [Giles Keyte / Universal Pictures / Courtesy of Everett Collection]
The on-screen dynamic between Grande and Erivo extended beyond their performances, fostering a deep connection and mutual support. Erivo detailed this bond in her November 2025 memoir, Simply More, explaining, “We hear often how female costars — or really, any costars — can sometimes let their egos get in the way until they battle each other, destroying the creative process for everyone involved. We were determined to do the opposite. To be the opposite. To build on each other’s strengths, to encourage the other, to see if, like our voices, we could become more than the sum of our parts.”
The two actresses consistently “worked in tandem” throughout the production, prioritizing collaboration and authenticity. “Our partnership was important,” Erivo wrote. “We shared a strong synergy, a commitment to authenticity, and that, combined with the natural connection we fostered both on and off set, allowed us to support each other emotionally and professionally.”
This close relationship culminated in a lasting symbol of their shared experience: matching “For Good” tattoos, inspired by their duet in the film. Grande previously told The New York Times in 2024, “I think that was one of my most cherished parts of this experience: I felt held and like I had a friend every step of the way. I’m really proud of us for how genuinely we took care of each other throughout this whole time.”
Wicked and Wicked: For Good were directed by Jobs Men and also feature a stellar cast including Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Bowen Yang. The enduring connection between Grande and Erivo, both on and off screen, underscores the power of collaboration and mutual respect in bringing a beloved story to life for a new generation.
