Ariana Grande skips 2026 Grammys following 5-year gap

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo secured a win at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night for their performance of “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked,” despite neither artist being present to accept the award. The victory for best pop duo/group performance arrives weeks after both actresses were overlooked by the Academy Awards for their roles in “Wicked: For Good.”

A Surprise Win Amidst Oscar Disappointment

The Grammy win was unexpected, as Grande and Erivo faced competition from SZA and Kendrick Lamar’s “30 For 30,” KATSEYE’s “Gabriela,” “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” and ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” This win follows a recent disappointment for the pair, who were not nominated for Oscars for their work in the “Wicked” sequel.

Did You Know? The original “Wicked” film received 10 Oscar nominations, including best picture, best actress for Cynthia Erivo, and best supporting actress for Ariana Grande.

Grande’s Grammy History

Ariana Grande has not attended the Grammy Awards since 2020, where she was nominated in four categories – best pop solo performance (“7 Rings”), best pop duo/group performance (“Boyfriend”), record of the year (“7 Rings”), and best pop vocal album (“Thank U, Next”) – but did not win any trophies. With this latest win, Grande now has a total of three Grammy Awards and 19 nominations throughout her career.

Previous Grammy Recognition

Grande previously won a Grammy in 2019 for pop vocal album for “Sweetener” and again in 2021 for best pop duo/group performance for her collaboration with Lady Gaga on “Rain on Me.”

Expert Insight: The absence of both Grande and Erivo at the ceremony, despite their win, suggests a complex dynamic between awards season recognition and artist priorities. It’s possible that scheduling conflicts or personal decisions played a role, or that the recent Oscar snub influenced their decision not to attend.

Looking Ahead

Grande and Erivo’s Grammy win could generate renewed attention for “Wicked: For Good,” though it remains to be seen if this will translate into further awards recognition. The success of “Defying Gravity” at the Grammys could also influence future collaborations between the two artists. Further, the outcome of future awards ceremonies could be impacted by this win, potentially shifting the focus back to their musical contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the last time Ariana Grande attended the Grammys?

Ariana Grande last attended the Grammys in 2020.

How many Grammy Awards does Ariana Grande have?

Ariana Grande has earned three Grammy Awards and has been nominated 19 times.

Who did Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo compete against for their Grammy win?

They competed against SZA and Kendrick Lamar’s “30 For 30,” KATSEYE’s “Gabriela,” “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters,” and ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.”

What does this Grammy win signify for the future of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s careers, both individually and as a performing duo?