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."
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.)
Teyana Taylor
in Saint Laurent and Tiffany & Co. jewelry.
Jessica Biel
in Lanvin.
Ariana Grande
in custom Alberta Ferretti, Christian Louboutin and Swarovski jewelry.
Paul Mescal
in custom Gucci and Cartier.
Jacob Elordi
in Bottega Veneta, Oliver Peoples and Cartier.
Michael B. Jordan
in custom Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin.
Leighton Meester & Adam Brody
in Carolina Herrera and Chopard jewelry (Meester); Valentino and Jager Le Coultre wath (Brody).
Alexander Skarsgard
in Valentino.
Adam Scott & Naomi Scott
in Dolce & Gabbana.
Marcello Hernandez
in Dolce & Gabbana.
Mckenna Grace
in vintage Vera Wang and Chopard diamonds.
Krys Marshall
in Sehnsucht Atelier.
Rhea Seehorn
in custom Louis Vuitton and Brilliant Earth jewelry.
Nicole Brydon Bloom
in Akris.
Sara Wells & Noah Wyle
in Brioni (Wyle).
Adam Sandler & Jackie Sandler
Leo Woodall
in Paul Smith.
Ryan Coogler & Zinzi Coogler
in custom Louis Vuitton.
Katherine LaNasa & Grant Show
in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry (LaNasa).
Seth Rogen
in Zegna.
Sarah Shahi
in Georges Hobeika.
Ginnifer Goodwin & Josh Dallas
in Giorgio Armani and a Tyler Ellis bag(Goodwin).
Ike Barinholtz
in Dior.
Jimmy Kimmel & Molly McNearney
in Alex Perry, Tyler Ellis purse and Manolo Blahnik shoes (McNearney).
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
in Akris and Chopard.
Tramell Tillman
in Anamika Khanna and Lagos Diamonds jewelry.
Natasha Lyonne
in Celine and Le Vian and L'Dezen jewelry.
Chase Infiniti
in custom Louis Vuitton and Messika jewelry.
Owen Cooper
in Bottega Veneta.