Ariana Grande spent much of the press tour for Wicked in tears, so it’s no surprise she’s bawling now that she’s earned a best supporting actress Oscar nomination for her role as Galinda in the film.
Ari posted a series of photos and videos on Instagram, including herself as a little girl dressed like Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz, photos from the film, and old footage of herself singing “Defying Gravity” as a teen. “picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition. i cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise,” she wrote.
“i’m humbled and deeply honored to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered,” she continued. “i’m so proud of you, tiny. thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for this acknowledgement @theacademy.”
She went on to thank Wicked director Jon M. Chu — who was not nominated — for “taking this chance on me and for being the most unbelievably brilliant leader, human being, and most fierce friend.”
“i am so deeply proud of my beautiful Wicked family,” she adds. “i am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo. your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always.” Erivo is nominated for best actress for her role as Elphaba in the film.
Ari concludes, “i don’t quite have all my words yet, i’m still trying to breathe. but thank you. oh my goodness, thank you. Universal, [producer] Marc [Platt], my family, my heart. lemons and melons and pears, oh my.”
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