Oscars opened on a high note (literally), with a medley of songs from Wizard of Oz-based films performed by the stars of Wicked, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday (March 2) night.

Until they came back together to sing the Wicked‘s part one closer, "Defying Gravity." While Ariana watched in amazement, seeing Erivo soar, nailing those final notes, as did the audience. The performance earned a standing ovation.

Ariana Grande's Oz-themed 'Wicked' performance at the 2025 Oscars has a special meaning, harkening back to one of the defining moments of her career.