When the Oscar nominations were announced, the glaring absence of both Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo from the list sparked outrage among fans who believed the two leads deserved recognition for their roles in Wicked: For Good. Now, an anonymous member of the Academy voting panel has dropped a bombshell explanation for their omission, and it has nothing to do with their on-screen performances. Instead, the voter claims it was their behaviour off-screen — their constant displays of affection and physical closeness at red-carpet events — that sealed their fate with the electorate.
According to reports from News Nation, the unnamed Academy member revealed a damning assessment of both the film and the actresses themselves. 'The movie wasn't that great. The two have amazing on-screen chemistry but spent most of the movie apart,' the voter explained bluntly. The comment, however candid, pales in comparison to their critiques of the actresses' public conduct.
The 'Creepy' On-Screen Chemistry
oh, so now the oscars isn’t even about the acting performance??!? this is so ridiculous. @TheAcademy, you should reconsider some of your members https://t.co/v446tR3DEt
— darianabrande (@darianabrande) January 25, 2026
The voter's most striking observation concerned how Grande and Erivo conducted themselves at promotional events, where they were frequently photographed cuddling and holding hands. 'I was also just completely turned off by their promotional performances,' the Academy member stated. 'They creeped a lot of people out and in their rush to feel authentic, came off as cosplaying.'
The actresses consistently defended one another publicly, with Erivo displaying particular protectiveness during a moment when producer Marc Platt excitedly shook Ariana's arm at an event. Erivo also stepped in after a man rushed the red carpet and approached Grande, creating what appeared to many observers as touching demonstrations of solidarity and sisterhood. Yet at least one voter viewed these gestures through a decidedly unfavourable lens. Another anonymous Academy voter echoed and expanded upon these criticisms, delivering what amounts to a scathing indictment of the pair's awards campaign.
'The movie wasn't that good and (Erivo and Grande) sucked the air out of any red carpet they were on and no one wanted to go through that again,' the second voter remarked. The comment suggests that their visibility and behaviour may have actively fatigued the very voters tasked with honouring their work. 'Think of it this way: We were protecting Ariana from her anxiety and Cynthia from having to intervene. Again,' the voter added with unmistakable sarcasm, implying that the actresses' need for each other's constant reassurance had become tiresome to observe.
Ariana's Next Chapter and the Road to Burnout
Following the release of the two Wicked films, Grande has already pivoted towards music and will launch her The Eternal Sunshine tour later this year. However, she has signalled her intention to step away from the relentless pace that has defined her career for over a decade. Speaking to Vogue Japan, Grande revealed her plans for a significant shift in how she structures her professional life.
'I think that it would probably be healthy to. I'm not used to taking breaks,' she shared candidly. 'But I do know that I grew so much from taking space from music while I was filming Wicked.' The singer reflected on the exhausting reality of her trajectory, acknowledging the cumulative toll of constant work.
'But yeah, these past few years have been pretty nonstop, and by few, I mean fifteen. Balance is the goal for the next fifteen years. I don't think they will look like the previous fifteen years. I think there will be more balance,' Grande concluded, suggesting a fundamental recalibration of priorities as she matures as both an artist and a person.
