Wicked costars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were officially nominated for a couple of awards at the 68th Grammy Awards — scheduled to air in February 2026 on CBS and Paramount+ — and the fans couldn't be happier!
While attending the Paris, France stop in the Wicked: For Good press tour on Friday, November 7, Erivo and Grande were caught completely by surprise upon hearing the news that they had been nominated for a 2026 Grammy Award.
The two multihyphenate artists first found out that their Wicked movie version of "Defying Gravity" — a song that centers Erivo's character, Elphaba, but also features plenty of vocals from Grande's character, Glinda — has been nominated in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
But wait, there's more! Erivo was also nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Cappella category for "Be Okay," one of the standout tracks from her sophomore studio album I Forgive You.
The Wicked: For Good actors, along with director Jon M. Chu, lost their minds even more as they celebrated not only "Defying Gravity" getting nominated, but also Erivo's other nomination from her album as a recording artist. You can watch their adorable and emotional reactions in the two videos below.
Erivo also shared a live-reaction video from a different angle, which she shared on her own Instagram page.
"I don't really have any words," Erivo wrote in the caption. "These last couple of years have been beyond the dream, and I'm just really grateful. Thank you. @recordingacademy @republicrecords @ververecords."
Erivo and Grande's "Defying Gravity" is up against the following Best Pop Duo/Group Performance nominees:
"Golden" — Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami (KPop Demon Hunters)
"Gabriela" — KATSEYE
"Apt." — Rosé and Bruno Mars
"30 for 30" — SZA and Kendrick Lamar
Even though this is one of the most stacked categories at the 2026 Grammy Awards, "Defying Gravity" is still a massive song, and it was reawakened by the Wicked movie's version featuring vocals from Erivo and Grande. It wouldn't be wise to count them out from winning this category.
Cynthia Erivo's Grammy Awards track record.
Cynthia Erivo's overall Grammys track record.Grammy.com
Cynthia Erivo has been nominated for a total of four Grammy Awards overall:
2017 Best Musical Theater Album — The Color Purple (New Broadway Cast Recording) album
2020 Best Song Written for Visual Media — "Stand Up" from the Harriet biopic
2026 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — "Defying Gravity"
2026 Best Arrangement, Instrumental, or A Cappella — "Be Okay"
Erivo's sole Grammy Award win thus far came from her first-ever nomination in Best Musical Theater Album for The Color Purple (New Broadway Cast Recording).
Ariana Grande's Grammy Awards track record.
Cynthia Erivo's overall Grammys track record.Grammy.com
Ariana Grande has been nominated for 19 Grammy Awards:
2015 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — "Bang Bang" (with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj)
2015 Best Pop Vocal Album — My Everything
2017 Best Pop Solo Performance — "Dangerous Woman"
2017 Best Pop Vocal Album — Dangerous Woman
2019 Best Pop Solo Performance — "God Is a Woman"
2019 Best Pop Vocal Album — Sweetener
2020 Album of the Year — Thank U, Next
2020 Record of the Year — "7 Rings"
2020 Best Pop Solo Performance — "7 Rings"
2020 Best Pop Vocal Album — Thank U, Next
2020 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — "Boyfriend" (with Social House)
2021 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — "Rain on Me" (with Lady Gaga)
2022 Best Pop Solo Performance — "Positions"
2022 Best Pop Vocal Album — Positions
2022 Album of the Year — Planet Her (as a featured artist and songwriter on Doja Cat's album)
2025 Best Pop Vocal Album — Eternal Sunshine
2025 Best Dance Pop Recording — "Yes, And?"
2025 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — "The Boy Is Mine" (with Brandy and Monica)
2026 Best Pop Duo/Group Performance — "Defying Gravity" (with Cynthia Erivo)
Even though casual pop music fans assume that Grande has a shelf full of Grammy Awards, that is — shockingly, we know! — not true. The pop star has received a whopping 19 nominations, but only won two Grammys: In 2019, with Sweetener, for Best Pop Vocal Album; and in 2021, with "Rain on Me" (featured artist in the Lady Gaga song), for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.
We will continue to hold space not only for the lyrics of "Defying Gravity," but also for phenomenal recording of this powerful Broadway anthem from Erivo and Grande.
Wicked: For Good opens Friday, November 21 in theaters. The 68th Grammy Awards ceremony broadcast is scheduled for February 1, 2026 on CBS and Paramount+.
