The year 2024 proved to be significant for Ariana Grande, largely due to her much-anticipated role in the film adaptation of Wicked. This dream role stemmed from her childhood fascination with the Broadway production, which began when she was just 10 years old. Grande’s aspiration to portray Glinda Upland became a reality, marking a pivotal moment in her career. Despite being an immensely successful pop artist, Grande made the conscious decision to temporarily set aside her musical identity to fulfill a lifelong ambition.
However, Grande was not willing to completely step away from her music career. On March 8, 2024, she returned to the music scene with her album Eternal Sunshine, her first album in nearly four years since Positions. This album made an impressive debut, clinching the #1 spot on the Billboard 200. Moreover, two of its three singles—”Yes and?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” —also topped the Billboard Hot 100, illustrating that while acting was a priority, her musical pursuits remained vibrant and impactful. Grande’s dual focus on both music and film makes the surprising snub of Eternal Sunshine at the Grammys particularly notable.
Grammy Snub for Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine in 2024
Grande’s Album Missed Out on Album of the Year Nomination
Despite its #1 status, Eternal Sunshine did not receive a nomination for the prestigious Album of the Year at the upcoming 2025 Grammys. Ariana Grande, who has been nominated for this award twice in the past—once in 2020 and again in 2022—has yet to take home this coveted honor. Out of her 18 nominations, of which three are still pending, she has only won twice, leaving her supporters surprised at her exclusion for such a well-received album.
|
Grammys 2025 Album of the Year Nominees |
|
|---|---|
|
Album |
Artist |
|
New Blue Sun |
André 3000 |
|
Cowboy Carter |
Beyoncé |
|
Short n’ Sweet |
Sabrina Carpenter |
|
Brat |
Charli XCX |
|
Djesse Vol. 4 |
Jacob Collier |
|
Hit Me Hard and Soft |
Billie Eilish |
|
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess |
Chappell Roan |
|
The Tortured Poets Department |
Taylor Swift |
Grande’s hit single, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love),” gained immense popularity, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok. Nevertheless, Eternal Sunshine faced fierce competition from other albums released in 2024. The spring of 2024 showcased numerous prominent female artists with new music, including Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, who both launched successful albums. Although Sabrina Carpenter’s full album won’t release until August, her earlier single “Espresso” took the music scene by storm in May. The landscape was so crowded that it limited the space for Grande’s latest work to shine and resonate with audiences.
Additionally, Charli XCX’s album Brat became a defining soundtrack for summer 2024, further complicating Grand’s album’s visibility. The nomination race for Album of the Year was particularly tight, compounded by late 2023 releases like Chappell Roan’s album, which was also in the running. The Grammy Academy also aimed to ensure representation for a range of genres beyond pop, leading to nominations for André 3000 and Jacob Collier as well.
Wicked Brings Ariana Grande Greater Success in 2024
Wicked Achieved Box Office Success
While the outcome for an Oscar nomination remains uncertain, Wicked is poised to earn multiple nominations at the Academy Awards. Grande’s role is pivotal, and regardless of any accolades she may or may not receive, her portrayal of Glinda has garnered widespread critical acclaim. Many reviewers highlighted her remarkable vocal transformation for the role, a significant achievement for an artist primarily known for her pop career.
Will Ariana Grande Shift Focus to Film Over Music?
A Promising Future Awaits Ariana Grande in Film
Up until recently, Ariana Grande was best known for her role as Cat Valentine in Nickelodeon shows Victorious and Sam & Cat. Over the years, she has firmly established herself as a pop powerhouse, boasting nine #1 hits. However, her triumphant performance in Wicked suggests that her talents extend into acting and can flourish with the right opportunities. Despite her deep-rooted passion for music, as demonstrated by her recent album, Grande’s successful transition into acting raises intriguing possibilities for her future career.
In a candid interview with Jimmy Fallon, Grande expressed her desire to continue exploring acting opportunities. With the upcoming promotion for the sequel, Wicked: For Good, she has indicated her commitment to balancing both music and film:
“I would love to. I’m very scared to freak my fans out when I talk about this just because music and being on stage will always be part of my life, so I will always be there. We will always have that together, but I really do love acting.”
As Ariana Grande navigates her career, it seems likely she will achieve remarkable success that transcends the lack of recognition for Eternal Sunshine. If she continues to return to music in the future, a Grammy-winning album might just be within her reach.
Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
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