‘Defying Gravity’ & ‘Wizard of Ounces’ Songs

The 2025 Oscars opened on a prime word (actually), with a medley of songs from Wizard of Ounces-based motion pictures carried out through the celebs of Depraved, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday (March 2) night time.

Dressed in a shimmering purple get dressed evocative of a ruby purple slipper, Grande sang “Someplace Over the Rainbow” from the best-ever vintage 1939 model of The Wizard of Ounces; her voice used to be in pristine shape, and if she had any nerves going into the track, you wouldn’t have identified it in line with her vocal ease and keep an eye on. As Grande left the level, Erivo got here out in a billowing white robe wearing crimson vegetation. Erivo carried out “House” from 1978’s The Wiz, deftly handing over the track made well-known through Diana Ross, construction it as much as a wealthy conclusion.

After reminiscent of the ones two vintage Ounces motion pictures, they joined forces to belt out Depraved’s loved “Defying Gravity” – despite the fact that naturally, Erivo used to be the famous person of that quantity, making a song the Broadway anthem with gusto, objective and noteworthy keep an eye on. And when she delivered that spine-tingling melismatic ultimate word, there have been quite a lot of tears within the Dolby Theatre (co-star Michelle Yeoh, for one, used to be noticed wiping one away).

Depraved won 10 nominations at this yr’s Academy Awards, together with a easiest actress nod for Erivo and a easiest supporting actress nom for Grande. Simply prior to the tip of 2024, Depraved pulled forward of Mamma Mia! to transform the highest-grossing cinematic adaptation of a Broadway musical. The second one (and ultimate) a part of the tale, Depraved: For Just right, is scheduled to hit theaters on Nov. 21.