An anonymous Oscar voter explained the reason behind “Wicked: For Good” and its lead stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo scoring zero Oscar 2026 nominations.

“The movie wasn’t that great. The two have amazing on-screen chemistry but spent most of the movie apart,” the voter told NewsNation over the weekend.

“I was also just completely turned off by their promotional performances,” the Academy member added. “They creeped a lot of people out and in their rush to feel authentic, came off as cosplaying.”

The Oscar race surrounding Wicked: For Good took an unexpected turn after an anonymous Academy voter reportedly offered a controversial explanation for why Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo failed to receive acting nominations. According to the voter, the pair’s unusually close public friendship and interactions during the film’s promotional campaign may have made some Academy members uncomfortable. Importantly, this was one anonymous voter’s opinion, not an official explanation from the Academy, and it should not be treated as proof of why the actresses were excluded.

1. An Anonymous Oscar Voter Blamed the Pair’s Public Dynamic

An anonymous Oscar voter reportedly claimed that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo had “creeped people out,” suggesting their highly visible friendship may have influenced some voters. The allegation quickly became controversial because it attempts to explain an awards decision through the actresses’ public interactions rather than their performances. There is no evidence that the Academy officially rejected either actress for this reason.

2. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo Had Become Closely Associated

During the Wicked promotional campaign, Grande and Erivo frequently appeared together at premieres, interviews, photo calls, and other events. Their friendship became one of the most recognizable aspects of the movie’s publicity. The pair often displayed affection and emotional support toward one another, creating countless viral moments that fans closely followed.

3. Their Emotional Press-Tour Moments Became Internet Conversation

The actresses’ interactions were not limited to conventional promotional interviews. Their emotional conversations, physical affection, and intense enthusiasm for each other repeatedly attracted attention online. What fans considered genuine friendship was interpreted differently by some observers. The anonymous voter’s alleged comments turned that existing online discussion into a new explanation for the Oscar snub.

4. The Claim Does Not Prove Why They Missed Oscar Nominations

The most important distinction is that the reported theory remains an individual voter’s explanation rather than an established fact. Oscar nominations involve thousands of Academy members and complicated voting procedures. Without broader evidence from voters or official Academy information, it is impossible to conclude that Grande and Erivo were excluded because of their relationship or promotional behavior.

5. ‘Wicked: For Good’ Had Generated Major Awards Attention

The snub became particularly surprising because the Wicked stars had already attracted substantial awards-season attention. Grande and Erivo had become central figures in the film franchise, with their performances receiving significant discussion throughout the awards campaign. The sequel’s Oscar outcome therefore created considerable curiosity among fans and entertainment observers.

6. Ariana Grande Had Already Experienced Oscar Recognition for ‘Wicked’

Grande’s connection to the Oscars was not completely new. She received an Academy Award nomination for her performance as Glinda in the first Wicked film. That earlier recognition made the absence of another nomination for Wicked: For Good especially noteworthy to people following the franchise’s awards trajectory.

7. Their Friendship Continued Beyond the Awards Campaign

Grande and Erivo’s relationship did not disappear after the Wicked promotional cycle. In August 2026, Erivo made a surprise appearance during Grande’s London concert. The pair performed “For Good” together before sharing an emotional moment onstage, showing that their friendship and professional connection remained strong.

8. Fans Strongly Disagreed With the Reported Theory

The reported explanation immediately created debate because many fans viewed Grande and Erivo’s closeness as evidence of genuine friendship rather than something negative. Online reactions showed that some viewers rejected the idea that affectionate promotional behavior should influence an actress’s awards chances. Others debated whether the pair’s unusual press-tour style may have affected perceptions among certain industry voters.

9. The Story Highlights How Complicated Oscar Voting Can Be

Awards campaigns involve much more than performances appearing on screen. Public relations, interviews, industry events, critical reception, campaigning, and personal impressions can all become part of the awards-season conversation. However, it would be misleading to claim that any single factor definitively determined the nominations without reliable evidence from the voting body.

10. The ‘Creepy’ Theory Remains Just That—A Theory

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that the controversial explanation should be treated cautiously. The anonymous voter’s comments provide an alleged personal perspective, but they do not establish the actual reason Grande or Erivo missed nominations. Their performances, the competitive field, voting preferences, campaign strategy, and numerous other factors could potentially have played roles.

FAQs

1. Why were Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo reportedly called a “creepy” pairing?

An anonymous Oscar voter reportedly claimed that their extremely close public interactions during the Wicked campaign made some people uncomfortable.

2. Did the Academy officially say their friendship caused the snub?

No. The reported explanation came from an anonymous voter and should not be presented as an official Academy explanation.

3. Were Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo friends?

Yes. Their friendship became highly visible during and after production of the two Wicked films, with both actresses frequently expressing affection and support for each other.

4. Why did their press-tour behavior attract attention?

Grande and Erivo frequently displayed an unusually emotional and affectionate friendship during interviews, premieres, and promotional appearances, generating significant online discussion.

5. Did Ariana Grande previously receive an Oscar nomination for ‘Wicked’?

Yes. Grande received an Oscar nomination connected to her performance as Glinda in the first Wicked film.

6. Did Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande remain close afterward?

Yes. In August 2026, Erivo surprised Grande during her London concert, where they performed “For Good” together and shared an emotional onstage moment.

7. Is the anonymous voter’s explanation proven?

No. It is an alleged opinion from one anonymous voter and does not establish the actual reason the actresses did not receive nominations.

8. Did fans agree with the voter’s theory?

Not universally. Online reactions were divided, with some people questioning the theory and others discussing whether the pair’s unusual promotional dynamic could have affected perceptions.