Originally appeared on E! Online
It’s not about aptitude: It’s about Ariana Grande.
And the Wicked: For Good star, who received a 2026 Critics Choice Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role, proved just that when she hit the ceremony’s red carpet Jan. 4 in Santa Monica, wearing a pink-and-white full-length Alberta Ferretti dress. (For even more looks from the award show, head on over here.)
The night out for the 32-year-old—nominated in the category alongside Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku and Teyana Taylor—comes as she, costar Cynthia Erivo and the entire Wicked cast gear up to say goodbye to the yellow brick road once and for all nearly five years after their journeys started. It’s an experience she can’t help but feel “overwhelming gratitude” for.
“It’s been such an incredible ride and an incredible experience,” Ariana exclusively told E! News at the New York City premiere for the musical’s sequel in November, “to create with people we love so much and respect so much creatively, but also who just have such great hearts.
She also noted her excitement for fans to “finally be able to get the full story” and the “full arc of these women that we love so much and have spent these years with.”
“For them to finally be getting the full picture and to know the secrets we’ve known all along,” Ariana added, “is very exciting.”
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She also noted her excitement for fans to “finally be able to get the full story” and the “full arc of these women that we love so much and have spent these years with.”
“For them to finally be getting the full picture and to know the secrets we’ve known all along,” Ariana added, “is very exciting.”
Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
But she isn’t the only one that is grateful the films have been so popular among audiences. Indeed, costar Cynthia recently expressed how much landing the role of Elphaba meant to her.
“I could write you an essay, a poem, Shakespearean prose, to describe what this journey has meant to me, what lessons this time has taught me, bought me,” she captioned her Nov. 21 Instagram post. “I could try to give a metric to the love I have felt and experienced. I could give a number to the stories I have heard. The truth is the numbers are too small and the words are not enough.”
As Cynthia noted, “So I’ll simply say this. Take my hand and walk with me to the end of this road paved with gold and hopefully, the things that I’ve found, might find you too.”
For even more good deeds, and great fashion, keep reading to see every celeb at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards…
(E! and USA Network are both part of Versant Media.)
Jessica Biel
Teyana Taylor
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Mckenna Grace
in vintage Vera Wang and Chopard diamonds.
Ariana Grande
in custom Alberta Ferretti, Christian Louboutin and Swarovski jewelry.
Krys Marshall
Rhea Seehorn
in custom Louis Vuitton and Brilliant Earth jewelry.
Nicole Brydon Bloom
Sara Wells & Noah Wyle
Adam Sandler & Jackie Sandler
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
Leo Woodall
Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler
Paul Mescal
in custom Gucci and Cartier.
Katherine LaNasa & Grant Show
in custom Louis Vuitton (LaNasa).
Seth Rogen
Kristen Bell
Sarah Shahi
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association
Jacob Elordi
in Bottega Veneta, Oliver Peoples and Cartier.
Ginnifer Goodwin & Josh Dallas
in Giorgio Armani and a Tyler Ellis bag(Goodwin).
Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry (Meester).
Ike Barinholtz
Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney
Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff / GETTY IMAGES
Michael B. Jordan
in custom Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin.
Sterling K. Brown
in Brunello Cucinelli, Jacques Marie Mage glasses, Omega watch, Rachel Katz Jewelry cufflinks, Effy Jewelry rings and Melinda Maria earrings.
Sarah Snook
Watch the Critics Choice Awards 2026 live Sunday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. on E! and USA Network.