Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo give moving performance at 2025 Oscar Awards (video)

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo kicked off the 97th Oscar Awards with a magical musical medley from “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Wiz” and “Wicked.” 

After a tribute to Los Angeles, which is recovering from devastating wildfires, Grande took the stage to perform a heartwarming rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from 1939’s classic “The Wizard of Oz” before Erivo wowed the crowd with “Home” from the 1975 musical “The Wiz.” 
 

The two Academy Award nominees then joined forces to perform “Defying Gravity,” the showstopper at the end of the first act of “Wicked.” 

Grande, whose sparkly red dress was adorned with a ruby red slipper, briefly stepped aside to let Erivo, wearing a strapless white gown decorated with florals, belt out her character’s famous battle cry. 
 

When Erivo hit that impossibly high final note, audiences leapt to their feet and gave the leading ladies a standing ovation. 

Watch the video below.