Ariana Grande’s oscars dress held a magical tribute to The Wizard of Oz

The 2025 Academy Awards opened in the most enchanting way possible with Ariana Grande delivering an emotional performance of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,' the iconic ballad from 'The Wizard of Oz.' The moment became even more spectacular when her Wicked co-star, Cynthia Erivo joined her on stage to belt out the powerful anthem 'Defying Gravity.'
While their voices captivated the audience, Grande’s outfit also told a story of its own. The singer and actress dazzled in a custom Schiaparelli gown, a strapless, ruby-red masterpiece completely covered in shimmering embellishments. But the real magic was in the details.
The dress paid direct homage to Dorothy’s legendary ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz,' a film that deeply influenced Grande’s love for performing. The gown’s fitted silhouette sparkled under the stage lights and a dramatic tulle accent wrapped around her hips, adding a theatrical touch. However, the most mesmerizing aspect was revealed when she turned to the side, the back of her dress had been crafted to resemble an actual slipper, as if Dorothy’s shoe had transformed into haute couture. To complete the look, Grande wore a matching pair of ruby-colored heels, making the tribute even more striking.
Grande’s deep red Oscars ensemble was a noticeable shift from her recent streak of Glinda-inspired pink fashion choices. Before taking the stage, she arrived on the red carpet in another Schiaparelli creation—an ethereal gown featuring a unique sculpted peplum and a voluminous tulle skirt encrusted with 190,000 sparkling sequins and rhinestones. This extravagant ensemble continued her tradition of channeling Glinda, a role she has long dreamed of playing.
Last year, she also embraced the 'Wicked' aesthetic at the Academy Awards, donning a vibrant pink bubble gown reminiscent of the Good Witch’s signature style. However, for this year’s ceremony, she took a step back from the pink and instead embraced the magic of 'The Wizard of Oz' itself, reflecting the origins of the world that Wicked is built upon.
Grande has never hidden her deep admiration for 'Wicked' and 'The Wizard of Oz.' In multiple interviews, she has spoken about how much the Broadway musical meant to her growing up and how playing Glinda was a dream she had nurtured since childhood. However, getting to perform 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' on one of Hollywood’s biggest nights was another dream come true for her.
In an interview with 'The Hollywood Reporter' earlier this year, she revealed that 'The Wizard of Oz' was the very first film that made her fall in love with cinema. “I remember watching Judy Garland and being completely mesmerized by her performance,” she said. “That was the moment I knew I wanted to be part of the world of movies.”
With her breathtaking Oscars performance and her 'Wicked' role bringing her childhood dream to life, it’s clear that Ariana Grande is living her own fairytale—one that began somewhere over the rainbow.