Charlie Puth has added his voice to the growing backlash surrounding one of the most talked-about surprises of the 2026 Academy Awards nominations: the complete shutout of Wicked: For Good and its stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Shortly after the nominations were announced on January 22, Puth took to X to express his disappointment. “Ariana and Cynthia not getting nominated for Wicked is such a disappointment,” he wrote. “I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I believe the amazing musicality they both showcased should be acknowledged.” The post quickly gained traction, echoing a sentiment already spreading across social media.
The snub has been widely labeled one of the biggest shocks of this year’s Oscars. Wicked: For Good, the second installment of the blockbuster musical adaptation, failed to secure a single nomination at the 98th Academy Awards. The result stands in stark contrast to the first Wicked film, released in 2024, which earned ten nominations at the 2025 ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Actress for Erivo, and Best Supporting Actress for Grande, ultimately winning two technical awards.
Industry expectations had been high. Erivo’s performance as Elphaba was considered a strong Best Actress contender, while Grande’s turn as Glinda had generated consistent awards-season momentum in the supporting category. Both performers received recognition earlier in the season, with nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Awards, reinforcing predictions that Oscar nominations were likely.
Beyond the acting categories, the absence of Wicked: For Good across the board raised further eyebrows. Despite featuring newly composed songs and large-scale production elements, the film missed out on categories traditionally friendly to musical adaptations, including original song and multiple technical fields.
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