Ariana Grande’s aspiration for an Oscar win for her role in “Wicked” is facing a significant challenge from Zoe Saldana, who has emerged as the frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress. Grande, in her first Academy Award nomination for playing Glinda, needs a crucial victory at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards to keep her Oscar dreams alive.
Saldana, for her part, has been dominating the awards season with her role in “Emilia Perez,” clinching awards at the Golden Globes, BAFTA, and Critics Choice. She has amassed 17 wins so far, compared to Grande’s 13, making her the clear favorite as the Oscars approach.
The SAG Awards on February 23 represent the last significant opportunity for Grande to alter the trajectory of the race. A report notes that the SAG winner has historically secured the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 21 out of the last 30 years. “The Wicked star must win the SAG award to keep her in the race,” it emphasizes.
Despite the strong buzz around Grande’s performance, the momentum has shifted towards Saldana, whose acclaimed role has been the talk of the awards circuit. However, the race has been complicated by controversy surrounding “Emilia Perez” due to social media comments by star Karla Sofía Gascon, leading to her withdrawal from the film’s promotional efforts.
While this has somewhat tarnished the film’s image, it has not dimmed Saldana’s star. The report stresses, “If Ariana Grande wants any realistic chance to be an Oscar winner for Wicked and beat Zoe Saldana, the SAG Awards is where she has to win.”
If Saldana takes home the SAG award, her path to the Oscar seems all but certain. However, should Grande manage an upset, it could sway the Academy’s final votes before the Oscars’ voting deadline.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Jaja’s career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including Business Times and Brigada. As a news editor, she covered a wide range of beats, including business, economy, cryptocurrency, and personal finance. Additionally, she has successfully managed teams of writers producing content on gaming, technology, and entertainment.
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