‘Wicked’ Actresses Set for Awards Glory: Erivo for Lead and Grande for Supporting!

In an exciting turn of events for fans of the much-anticipated movie adaptation of the beloved Broadway musical *Wicked*, information has surfaced regarding the awards categorization for its leading ladies. Directed by Jon M. Chu, Universal's film is set to make a grand debut nationwide on November 22, and it appears strategy is the name of the game in the lead-up to awards season.

Sources reveal that Cynthia Erivo, an acclaimed Grammy-winning and Oscar-nominated actress, will take on the role of Elphaba—also known as the Wicked Witch of the West. She has been positioned in the **Best Actress** category. Conversely, the ever-talented Ariana Grande, who will portray Glinda (the Good Witch), will be competing in the **Best Supporting Actress** category.

This categorization strategy is a significant departure from the approach taken during the original Broadway production two decades ago, which saw Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth both vying for the title of Best Actress in a Musical. At that time, both earned nominations, with Menzel ultimately snagging the win. Given the early buzz around *Wicked*, this new approach seems to be a strategic move, especially considering the fierce competition among female performers this awards season.

To put things into perspective, history shows that only five films have ever successfully achieved nominations for multiple actresses in the Best Actress category at the Oscars: *All About Eve* (1950), *Suddenly, Last Summer* (1959), *The Turning Point* (1977), *Terms of Endearment* (1983), and *Thelma & Louise* (1991). This rarity underscores just how competitive the race can be, thus making the choice to strategically define their categories a smart move.

As fans eagerly await *Wicked*'s release, the anticipation not only focuses on the film's spectacular cast and crew but also on how well Erivo and Grande will perform in their respective roles, possibly leading them down the golden path of awards success. Will their performances be enough to secure nominations and awards this season? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the witches are ready to cast their magic on the awards circuit!