
Ariana Grande and Gints Zilbalodis Celebrate Oscar Nominations with Emotional Reactions
The 97th Academy Awards nominations have been announced, igniting a wave of emotions among the stars who received nominations. Many of these talented individuals, including first-time nominees, have taken to social media to express their joy, surprise, and gratitude for this prestigious recognition, which celebrates their hard work and dedication to the film industry.
On Thursday morning, Wicked star Bowen Yang and Bottoms actress Rachel Sennott announced the nominations for the 2025 Oscars, set to broadcast live on ABC from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2. This event promises to be a celebration of cinematic excellence, showcasing the best talent in the industry.
Netflix/Everett/NBC
Explore the 2025 Oscar Nominations: Snubs, Surprises, and Full List
View Story
Leading the pack with an impressive 13 nominations is Emilia Pérez, followed closely by Wicked and The Brutalist, both receiving 10 nominations each. Additionally, Adrien Brody and The Brutalist also garnered 10 nods, while Timothée Chalamet propelled A Full Unknown to 8 nominations, including the coveted Best Picture category.
In the wake of the announcements, nominees such as Ariana Grande, Demi Moore, and Zoe Saldaña took to their social media platforms to share heartfelt statements and reactions to their Oscar nominations, highlighting the significance of this honor in their careers.
Continue reading to discover the nominees’ emotional reactions:
Ariana Grande’s Heartfelt Reaction to Her First Oscar Nomination for Wicked
Ariana Grande has achieved a significant milestone in her career by receiving her first Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Glinda in Wicked, where she has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress. This recognition is a testament to her talent and dedication to her role, making it a proud moment in her artistic journey.
Following the announcement, the actress celebrated by posting on Instagram, reflecting on her remarkable journey through life. She shared nostalgic images of herself as a child in a Dorothy costume, as well as a video of her singing “The Wizard and I” when she was younger, expressing her deep connection to the role.
“I’m lifting my head up amidst the tears to express my heartfelt thanks to @theacademy for this incredible recognition. I can’t stop crying, which is no surprise to anyone who knows me,” the typically emotional star wrote in her Instagram caption, highlighting her genuine appreciation for the honor.
In her emotional post, she continued, “I feel humbled and deeply honored to share this recognition with the little Ariana who sat and watched Judy Garland perform ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ just before the big, beautiful bubble appeared. I am so proud of you, little one,” emphasizing her gratitude and connection to her childhood dreams.
Ready to your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Grande also extended her gratitude to director Jon M. Chu for believing in her and for being an incredibly supportive leader and fierce friend throughout the process, showcasing the importance of collaboration in the film industry.
Expressing her pride in her “amazing Wicked family,” she mentioned how happy she is for her Elphaba, her dear friend [Cynthia Erivo]. She praised Erivo’s talent, stating, “Your brilliance is endless, and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. I love you unconditionally, always,” emphasizing the strong bond they share as performers.
“I don’t quite have all my words yet; I’m still trying to breathe. But thank you,” she concluded her heartfelt message, expressing her overwhelming emotions. “Oh my goodness, thank you. Universal, Marc, my family, my heart. Lemons and melons and pears, oh my,” capturing the joy of the moment.
In a candid interview with Variety, Grande shared where she was and what she was doing when she learned about her nomination, providing a glimpse into her personal experience during this significant moment.
“I was in London, just stepping out of the tub. Oh! My therapist is calling to congratulate me. Hold on. I’ll tell her I’ll be right back. Oh my God, I’m sorry. I don’t even know what to say,” she expressed, overwhelmed by emotions. “It’s really hard to speak,” she added, reflecting the intensity of the moment.
Getty
Ethan Slater’s Sweet Celebration of Ariana Grande’s Oscar Nomination
View Story
She further revealed that she had “just gotten off the phone with my mom and my best friends, including Kristen Chenoweth,” the original Glinda on Broadway. “I’ve been texting with Cynthia [Erivo] and Jon [M. Chu] all morning,” showing the supportive network around her during this exciting time.
Grande expressed that she “sobbed” upon hearing her name and hasn’t “stopped sobbing since then,” describing the emotional rollercoaster she experienced during this overwhelming moment. Her heartfelt reaction resonates with many who understand the significance of such recognition.
Regarding her nomination alongside Erivo, she described it as a “magnificent celebration of the hard work we were able to achieve together,” highlighting the bond they share through their artistic collaboration and dedication to their craft.
“It feels like we’ve crossed the wand and broom by Kristen and Idina Menzel,” she added. “They were nominated for the Tonys together, and now Cynthia and I get to share this recognition,” emphasizing the continuation of a beautiful tradition of excellence in performance.
Demi Moore’s Emotional Response to Her First Oscar Nomination for The Substance
Demi Moore also received her first Oscar nomination, earning a spot in the Best Actress category for her outstanding performance in the horror comedy film, The Substance. This nomination marks a significant achievement in her illustrious career and showcases her versatility as an actress.
Moore expressed her heartfelt reaction to the news during an interview with E! News, sharing how much this moment means to her.
“Being nominated for an Oscar is an incredible honor, and these past few months have surpassed my wildest dreams,” she stated in a heartfelt statement. “There are truly no words to fully express my joy and overwhelming gratitude for this recognition, not just for myself but for what this film represents. I’m deeply humbled and grateful,” showcasing her appreciation for the artistic work behind the film.
“This is a time of incredible contrasts, and right now, my heart is with my friends, family, neighbors, and community here in LA,” she added. “The fires have devastated so many lives, but witnessing how our community has united leaves me in awe of the resilience and compassion that defines us. This moment is a reminder of how incredible we are when we stand together,” emphasizing the importance of community during challenging times.
Jon M. Chu Reflects on the Success of Wicked Despite No Best Director Nomination
While Wicked director Jon M. Chu did not receive a Best Director nomination, the film itself received an impressive 10 nominations, including Best Picture. This recognition highlights the exceptional contributions of the entire team involved in the film’s production.
Chu shared a heartwarming video capturing the moment he realized the musical received a nomination for Best Film Editing, showing his genuine excitement as he cheered when the name of Wicked’s editor, Myron Kerstein, was announced.
“Ten Academy Award nominations for Wicked. Wow! I couldn’t be more proud of our crew, cast, and everyone involved,” he wrote in the caption of a video he shared on X and his Instagram Stories. “This was built brick by brick by human hands with the greatest imaginations in the world. Thank you for this honor! You’ve given us light,” showcasing his appreciation for the entire team’s hard work.
Ten Academy Award nominations for Wicked. Wow! I couldn’t be more proud of our crew, cast, and everyone involved. This was built brick by brick by human hands with the greatest imaginations in the world. Thank you for this honor!!! You’ve given us light. Here’s a video of me… pic.twitter.com/MHUmBqEBzq
— Jon M. Chu (@jonmchu) January 23, 2025
@jonmchu
Chu further reflected on his film’s nominations in a touching video shared on Instagram, celebrating the collective achievement of everyone involved.
“I am so proud. I am so pleased with our film. I am so pleased with everyone who worked on this film and the recognition you guys are receiving. Everyone deserves it,” he stated, expressing his heartfelt emotions about the success of Wicked.
“It’s a dream. I’ve watched every Academy Award ceremony since I was a kid,” he added, acknowledging the significance of the awards. “I know what awards really mean, but for some reason, this does mean a lot. It’s an acknowledgment of the work, and we had such a great time and a beautiful collaborative effort among everyone involved,” showcasing the spirit of teamwork in filmmaking.
Check out his full video below.
Ready to your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Actress Michelle Yeoh also celebrated Wicked’s 10 nominations, with CBS Mornings sharing a video of the sweet moment she realized the film had secured a Best Picture nomination, further underscoring the film’s success.
As Yang and Sennott alternated reading the nominated films in the category, Yeoh, who played Madam Morrible in Wicked, humorously threatened Yang, saying, “Bow