
'Wicked' lead stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo weighed in on the Oscar nominations that overlooked director Jon M. Chu despite the movie dominating with impressive 10 nods.
- Jan 26, 2025
AceShowbiz - Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the stars of "Wicked", weighed in on director Jon M. Chu's omission from the Best Director category at the Oscars, despite the film's astonishing success in other nominations. Both female stars think the director deserved a nomination at the Academy Awards.
"Wicked" soared with ten Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Production Design, but somehow missed a nod for Chu.
Erivo, who herself secured a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of Elphaba, highlighted the crucial role Chu played in the film's creation. In her interview with Variety, she remarked, "I wish people understood just how much work has to go into creating a big, giant behemoth like 'Wicked'. None of that can happen without his vision. It just isn't possible."
She further elaborated on Chu's essential contributions, stating, "He is the who can see who is right for this, who cast us in these roles, who asked for nine million tulips, who says he wants to build a real set so it feels embedded in reality. There is a kind of vision that you have to have in order to be in control of something that could run away from you very quickly if you don't know what to do."
Erivo wasn't alone in her sentiments. Ariana Grande, nominated for Best Supporting Actress, also voiced her views, describing Chu as "incredibly brilliant." She shared with Variety, "All of the other nominations stem from Jon. I know he feels like seeing 'Wicked' be celebrated is a celebration of him as well."
Adding a personal touch, Grande mentioned, "We just got off Facetime, and I told him how much I love him, and the truth, which is that absolutely none of this could have happened without his leadership, brilliance, empathy and thoughtfulness."
Despite her frustration regarding the oversight, Erivo maintained a positive outlook about the future, reminding disappointed fans that a sequel, "Wicked: For Good," is on the way. She stated, "I think he is an exquisite director. The people that he put in charge of every department, that also takes skill."
Erivo warmly referred to Chu as "the big brother and the dad" of the "Wicked" cast, praising his unwavering support and celebratory spirit. Reflecting on a message Chu sent the cast upon hearing the nomination news, she shared, "He texted the group 'We did it!' and he has been doing that from the beginning, consistently celebrating this moment."
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Oscars on March 2, both Erivo and Grande continue to stand by Chu, with Erivo summarizing, "If he is happy, then I am happy. I want that for him."