Ariana Grande's Oscar Gown: A Tribute to The Wizard of Oz

Ariana Grande stole the spotlight at the 2025 Academy Awards, not just with her mesmerizing performance but also with a show-stopping gown that paid tribute to one of Hollywood’s most iconic films, The Wizard of Oz.

A Fairytale Opening at the Oscars

This year’s Oscars featured one of the most sentimental and dreamlike openings in the ceremony’s history. The night began with Ariana Grande delivering a stunning rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, joined by her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo for an emotional performance of Defying Gravity.

Grande’s striking gown, designed by Schiaparelli, instantly became one of the most talked-about fashion moments of the evening. The dress, a deep ruby red strapless masterpiece, was covered in shimmering sequins, evoking the legendary red slippers worn by Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

A Dress Inspired by Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers

The dramatic gown wasn’t just about the dazzling sequins—it came with a twist. A layer of delicate tulle wrapped elegantly around her hips, adding dimension to the silhouette. But the most breathtaking element was the back of the dress, designed to mimic an actual shoe, as if Dorothy’s iconic red slippers had magically transformed into a gown.

Paired with matching ruby red heels, Grande’s ensemble was a bold departure from her usual pink-toned Glinda-inspired looks on the red carpet.

A Shift from Pink to Ruby Red

Before taking the stage, Grande graced the red carpet in another Schiaparelli creation, this time a whimsical floating gown with a wavy peplum silhouette and a tulle skirt adorned with 190,000 crystal sequins and gemstones. This elegant yet extravagant look was a nod to her role as Glinda, much like her bubblegum pink gown at last year’s Oscars.

A Childhood Dream Come True

Grande has never hidden her love for Wicked. In numerous interviews, she has shared how she dreamed of playing Glinda since childhood, being obsessed with Broadway musicals from an early age. Performing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" at the Oscars was not just another performance—it was a full-circle moment for the singer-actress, a tribute to the film that first ignited her passion for cinema.

Grande herself once admitted to studying Judy Garland’s performance as Dorothy, falling in love with the magic of storytelling and film. Now, years later, she’s bringing her own kind of magic to the big screen—and the red carpet.