Ariana Grande on track for Oscar glory?
The 2026 Oscar nominations aren't out yet, but industry experts are already predicting that Ariana Grande will be a nominee.
Ariana Grande scored her first Oscar nomination in 2025 and is on track to bag her second.
The Hollywood Reporter predicts that Grande will be among the 2026 Academy Award nominees for her role in the upcoming musical fantasy film, 'Wicked: For Good'.
The Grammy Award winner received a 'Best Supporting Actress' nomination at the 2025 ceremony, but the golden statue ultimately went to 'Emilia Pérez' star Zoe Saldaña
Grande was nominated for the first 'Wicked' movie, which was released in November 2024. Her co-star, Cynthia Erivo, was nominated in the 'Best Actress' category.
Both received significant praise for the portrayals of Glinda Upland and Elphaba Thropp, respectively.
The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg believes they will be nominated for a second consecutive year. However, the executive editor of awards coverage, Grande, will be a frontrunner in the 'Best Supporting Actress' category.
He predicts the 'Thank U, Next' hitmaker will score a nomination alongside:
- Amy Madigan ('Weapons')
- Teyana Taylor ('One Battle After Another')
- Elle Fanning ('Sentimental Value')
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas 'Sentimental Value')
Feinberg hasn't ruled out Regina Hall ('One Battle After Another'), Hailee Steinfeld ('Sinners'), Mia Goth ('Frankenstein'), Emily Blunt ('The Smashing Machine') and Emily Watson ('Hamnet')
Erivo is just one award away from earning EGOT status. She has won an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony Award.
"Both women are excellent in the film, but Erivo, in the best actress race, will be up against stiffer competition, including and especially Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley and Sentimental Value’s Renate Reinsve," Feinberg writes.
His predictions also include Chase Infiniti ('One Battle After Another') and Emma Stone ('Bugonia').
The 2026 Oscar nominations will be announced in January 2026. The 98th Academy Awards are set for Sunday, March 15.
'Wicked: Food' debuts in cinemas on November 21.
Check out Feinberg's latest prediction on The Hollywood Reporter.
READ: Fan attacks Ariana Grande at 'Wicked' movie premiere
Watch the final 'Wicked: For Good' trailer below.