Ariana Grande fans in awe over hidden detail in her dress during Oscars performance with Cynthia Erivo

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: The 2025 Oscars kicked off with a dazzling performance that left the star-studded crowd in awe as 'Wicked' co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo took the stage to pay tribute to 'The Wizard of Oz'. 

Grande opened the show with a powerful rendition, followed by Erivo, the Grammy-winning artist, who stunned with her extraordinary vocals. While the internet buzzed over their unforgettable medley, it was a unique detail on Grande’s glittering red ballgown that sent fans into a frenzy, sparking a wave of excitement online.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver stunning performance at Oscars 2025

Ariana Grande performed a stunning rendition of Judy Garland's 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' from the 1939 classic 'The Wizard of Oz'. 

Cynthia Erivo then took the stage to deliver a powerful performance of Diana Ross' 'Home' from 'The Wiz'. After Erivo's solo, Grande joined her 'Wicked' co-star to perform the iconic 'Defying Gravity' by holding each other's hands. 

At one point, Grande stepped aside to watch Erivo effortlessly belt the song's high notes, including the memorable riff, as per Daily Mail. Both stars were nominated for their respective roles in 'Wicked'—Grande for Best Supporting Actress and Erivo for Best Actress.

While the duo received an overwhelming response for their performance at the 2025 Oscars, fans quickly became fixated on a hidden detail in Ariana Grande's Oscar performance dress. 

The singer chose a dazzling, sparkling red custom Schiaparelli gown, which subtly referenced the character Dorothy's ruby slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz'. Positioned delicately on the back of the gown, just between her shoulder blades, the ruby slipper detail was a nostalgic nod to her childhood love for the iconic role, which she first played on stage as a child, despite portraying Glinda in 'Wicked'.

Meanwhile, Erivo shimmered under the Dolby Theatre's stage lights in a flowing white gown adorned with sparkling 3D floral decals along the corset bodice.

The audience erupted into applause as Erivo flawlessly hit the final note of 'Defying Gravity' while standing on a rising platform.

Ariana Grande’s fans call her 'ethereal' as she pays homage to Dorothy’s ruby slippers at Oscars 2025

Ariana Grande's performance with Cynthia Erivo, along with her tribute to Dorothy's ruby slippers, has left fans buzzing nonstop.

One user tweeted, “I love seeing Ariana Grande perform on the Grammys in the red crystal ground to reference the original red crystal heels from the Wizard of Oz as she was sitting underneath the rainbow very smart styling choice.”

Another fan noted, "Ariana's dress is an homage of dorothy’s ruby slipper 😭 #oscars.”

A fan stated, “She’s just PURE ethereal!!! i don’t understand and the DRESS?? WITH THE RUBY RED HEEL ON THE BACK FOR THE RUBY RED SLIPPERS STAPPHHH miss ariana you’re incredible.”

One fan deemed, “Ariana Grande looks so beautiful dressed as Dorothy’s slippers.”

"THE RUBY RED HEEL IN THR BACK OF ARIANAS DRESS TO REPRESENT DOROTHYS RED SLIPPERS I LOVE MIMI CUTTRELL," a person commented.

One fan posted a collage of Grande’s pictures and captioned it, “An ode to dorothy n her ruby slippers for her somewhere over the rainbow performance look (‘: absolute tears.”

Another X user wondered, “WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THE SHOE. SHES LITTERALY DORTHEY'S RED SLIPPERS!!”

Someone else shared in Portuguese, “O sapato nas costas pra destacar a referência a dorothy 🥺(The shoe on the back to highlight the reference to Dorothy.)”

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