How Many Oscars Does Ariana Grande Have? Inside Her First Nomination and What It Means for Her Career

She’s dominated the charts, broken streaming records, and won Grammys, but in 2025, Ariana Grande achieved something that had eluded her for years: an Oscar nomination.

So, how many Oscars does Ariana Grande have?

As of 2025, Ariana Grande has not won any Oscars, but she earned her first nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her standout role as Glinda in Wicked.

Though she didn’t take home the trophy, the nomination marked a transformative moment in her career, and it might just be the start of something bigger.

Let’s explore how Ariana made the leap from pop icon to Oscar contender, what her nomination says about her evolving legacy, and whether more film awards could be in her future.

Has Ariana Grande Ever Won an Oscar?

Short answer: No, she hasn’t, yet.

Ariana Grande was nominated for an Oscar in 2025 for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, the big-screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. This was her first Academy Award nomination, and it marked a serious step into the world of acclaimed film acting.

Despite widespread acclaim and strong award-season momentum, she did not win. So, how many Oscars does Ariana Grande have? As of now, 0 wins and 1 nomination.

Who Did Ariana Grande Lose the Oscar To?

Ariana Grande lost the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to Zoe Saldaña, who won for her role in Emilia Pérez. Saldaña won the Golden Globe, BAFTA, Critics’ Choice, and SAG Awards, establishing her as a strong favorite by the Oscars.

While the loss disappointed many of Ariana’s fans, it doesn’t diminish the significance of her nomination; it placed her in elite company as one of the few pop stars ever recognized by the Academy for acting.

Why Ariana Didn’t Win the Oscar (This Time)

While Ariana’s nomination was a huge win in itself, several factors may have worked against her Oscar chances:

• Zoe Saldaña’s Momentum : Saldaña swept every major precursor: the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice, BAFTA, and SAG Awards. Her wins made her a strong favorite.
• Narrative Competition: Oscar voters often favor a performance that feels like a “breakthrough” or comes with a strong social message; Emilia Pérez offered that.

Despite the loss, Grande was widely praised as having earned her seat at the table.

Ariana Grande’s Acting Background: From Broadway to Nickelodeon

Long before her Billboard hits and Grammy wins, Ariana Grande was a stage kid with Broadway ambitions. Her career began in community theater in Florida, where she quickly stood out for her powerful voice and natural presence.

At just 15 years old, she landed a role as Cheerleader Charlotte in *13: The Musical* on Broadway, a performance that earned her a National Youth Theatre Award and caught the attention of industry insiders.

Her breakthrough came on television. From 2010 to 2013, Ariana played the bubbly, quirky Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon’s Victorious, a role she reprised in the spin-off Sam & Cat. These shows propelled her into teen idol status and built her early fanbase.

Though she expressed frustration with acting during this period, famously saying “I hate acting,” her work was far from over. She made guest appearances in TV specials, live musicals, and even feature films like *Zoolander 2* and *Don’t Look Up* (2021).

Ariana Grande’s Acting Roles Before Wicked

The Wicked Dream: A Role 10 Years in the Making

Ariana’s Oscar-nominated role wasn’t just another audition. This was a dream she had chased for over a decade.

She first fell in love with Wicked at the age of 10. In interviews, she recalled dressing as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and being obsessed with Glinda. She even publicly lobbied for the role long before the film adaptation was in motion, saying she’d “chased Marc Platt down,” the film’s producer, for nearly 10 years just to get a shot.

When she was finally cast as Glinda the Good, it was more than a job; it was the realization of a childhood fantasy. Her emotional Instagram post following her nomination included a childhood photo and the words: “I cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise.”

Behind the Scenes: Ariana’s ‘Super Bowl-Level’ Preparation

Determined to be taken seriously, Ariana approached the role with extraordinary discipline and focus.

• Vocal training: She retrained her voice to meet the demands of Glinda’s coloratura soprano range, a far cry from her pop style.
• Acting lessons: She worked closely with Nancy Banks to refresh her stage instincts and reconnect with dramatic technique.
• Physical regimen: Grande worked out regularly, maintained a vegan diet, and aimed for 12,000 steps a day to build stamina.
• Live singing: She and Cynthia Erivo insisted on singing live during filming, bringing emotional realism to every performance.

Even the director, Jon M. Chu, admitted his initial doubts. He worried that Ariana’s massive fame would “take over the movie.” But her humility and work ethic changed his mind. “She proved me wrong,” he later said.

Breaking Stereotypes: From Pop Star to Oscar Nominee

For years, Ariana Grande was seen as a chart-topping pop diva, not an Oscar-caliber actress. But in Wicked, she flipped that narrative. She stayed loyal to the original musical’s tone.

Her Glinda was sharp, funny, and layered with emotional depth. Critics praised her performance as “wickedly hilarious,” “deeply sincere,” and full of “bone-deep regret” during one of the film’s most moving scenes.

She not only earned critical acclaim; she earned respect.

Critics and Fans React to Glinda

Ariana’s performance drew comparisons to Broadway legend Kristin Chenoweth, but many argued that she brought a fresh, more nuanced take.

• Fans applauded her comedic instincts, subtle gestures, and sense of timing.
• Critics highlighted her grace during emotional scenes, especially during the pivotal Glinda–Elphaba waltz, calling it one of the most affecting moments of the film.
• One reviewer noted: “She surpassed all expectations. Grande is not just playing Glinda; she understands her.”

In short, the world saw Ariana transform from a pop star into a credible actress with real emotional range.

Awards Season Recap: Wins and Nominations Before the Oscars

How Many Awards Does Ariana Grande Have?

As of 2025, Ariana Grande has won numerous awards, including:

• 2 Grammy Awards
• 1 Brit Award
• 9 MTV VMAs
• 3 American Music Awards
• Multiple film acting awards for Wicked

How Many Oscars Has Wicked Won?

The 2024 film Wicked received 10 Oscar nominations and won 2 Academy Awards:

• Best Costume Design
• Best Production Design

How Many #1s Does Ariana Grande Have?

Ariana has at least 7 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles, including:

• Thank U, Next
• 7 Rings
• Stuck with U (with Justin Bieber)
• Rain on Me (with Lady Gaga)
• Positions
• Die With a Smile (with Lady Gaga)
• We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)

She also holds the record for the most #1 debuts on the Hot 100.

One Nomination, Endless Possibilities

Ariana Grande didn’t win the Oscar, but she did something just as powerful. She changed the narrative.

From pop princess to critically acclaimed actress, Ariana proved she could thrive in any creative medium she chooses. Her Oscar nomination wasn’t just a footnote. It was a signal to Hollywood, and the world, that she’s just getting started.