Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo just pulled off one of night’s biggest upsets.
Their powerhouse rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked claimed Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2026 Grammys, shocking industry insiders who had virtually written off their chances.
Gold Derby predictions gave them just an 11.9 percent shot at victory—but sometimes magic defies the numbers.
What makes this win even sweeter? It arrived mere days after Wicked: For Good got completely shut out at Oscar nominations.
The Underdog Victory Nobody Saw Coming
When Grammy presenters announced Best Pop Duo/Group Performance—kicking off the 2026 ceremony during the untelevised “Premiere” portion—most expected either Rosé and Bruno Mars’ viral sensation “Apt.” or KPop Demon Hunters’ “Golden” to take home the trophy.
Industry predictions heavily favored “Apt.” with a commanding 57.9 percent chance of winning. “Golden” followed at 28.5 percent.
“Defying Gravity” languished in distant third place with single-digit expectations.
Neither Erivo nor Grande attended the afternoon ceremony to collect their statuettes. Both stars were presumably focused on other commitments as the bulk of Grammy awards got distributed before television cameras started rolling.
A Stacked Category With Heavy Hitters
Competition for this year’s Best Pop Duo/Group Performance was particularly fierce.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA brought “30 for 30” to the table. Rosé and Bruno Mars dominated streaming charts with “Apt.” KPop Demon Hunters rode massive global momentum with “Golden,” while Katseye represented with “Gabriela.”
Each nominee brought serious star power and commercial success—making the Wicked duo’s victory that much more unexpected.
Grammy Veterans Add to Their Collections
This marks Erivo’s second Grammy win. She previously shared Best Musical Theater Album honors in 2017 for The Color Purple, establishing her Broadway credentials long before Wicked brought her to worldwide film audiences.
For Grande, “Defying Gravity” represents her third Grammy victory. She claimed Best Pop Vocal Album in 2019 for Sweetener, then returned in 2021 to win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance alongside Lady Gaga for “Rain on Me.”
Both artists have proven their staying power across multiple musical formats—from theater to pop to film soundtracks.
Sweet Redemption After Oscar Snub
Timing made this Grammy win particularly meaningful.
Just 10 days before the Grammy ceremony, Oscar nominations were announced. Wicked: For Good—the highly anticipated sequel—received zero nominations, leaving fans and industry observers stunned.
Now the Grammy win offers some consolation, proving Recording Academy voters still recognize excellence in musical film performances even when other award bodies look elsewhere.
Why “Defying Gravity” Resonated With Voters
Several factors likely contributed to the unexpected victory:
- Vocal powerhouse performances: Both Erivo and Grande delivered technically stunning renditions that showcased their considerable range
- Cultural impact: Wicked became a global phenomenon, introducing Broadway classics to new generations
- Emotional resonance: “Defying Gravity” serves as the film’s climactic emotional peak, making it memorable beyond just musical merit
- Cross-genre appeal: The track bridges theater, pop, and film soundtracks—hitting multiple Grammy voter demographics
Grammy voters often surprise observers by valuing artistic achievement over commercial dominance or social media buzz.
What This Means for Both Stars
Grande continues cementing her legacy as one of pop music’s most decorated artists. Her ability to transition seamlessly between pure pop releases and theatrical film performances demonstrates rare versatility.
For Erivo, the win reinforces her position as one of entertainment’s most formidable triple threats—capable of dominating stage, screen, and recording studio with equal prowess.
Both artists now carry additional Grammy credibility into future projects, with recording industry validation backing their continued artistic evolution.
The Premiere Ceremony Factor
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance kicked off the 2026 Grammys during the “Premiere” ceremony—the untelevised afternoon session where most statuettes actually get distributed.
While some artists lament major categories getting relegated to pre-show proceedings, the Premiere ceremony allows Recording Academy voters to honor deserving work without television time constraints or commercial pressures influencing outcomes.
Ironically, removing television cameras may have helped “Defying Gravity” claim victory—voters could focus purely on musical merit rather than predicting what would create better television moments.
Looking Ahead for Wicked
Despite Oscar snubs for the sequel, the Grammy win proves Wicked’s cultural impact extends far beyond awards recognition.
The franchise continues attracting massive audiences, introducing classic musical theater to viewers who might never set foot in Broadway theaters. That democratization of theatrical excellence represents artistic achievement regardless of trophy counts.
Grande and Erivo’s Grammy victory ensures “Defying Gravity” will be remembered as more than just a film soundtrack moment—it’s now officially recognized as one of 2025’s standout pop collaborations.
Sometimes the best performances truly do defy expectations.