Ariana Grande has officially become an Emmy nominee for the first time, alongside co-star Cynthia Erivo, who earned her fourth Primetime Emmy nod. The Television Academy updated the credits for NBC’s concert special Wicked: One Wonderful Night, adding both stars as principal performers for the program’s nomination in the Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) category. The special is now a six-time Emmy nominee, also earning recognition for Music Direction, Choreography, Hairstyling, Lighting Design, and Technical Direction.
Fans previously expressed outrage after the pair were notably absent from the initial credits list, despite their central roles in the two-hour special. The concert, filmed live at the Dolby Theatre in November 2025, featured Grande and Erivo leading performances alongside their Wicked co-stars. Emmy regulations state that principal performers in pre-recorded variety specials are eligible to be entered with the program in the category, and the Academy updated the credit before the corrections deadline.
Erivo now has four Primetime Emmy nominations, following previous nods in 2017, 2021, and 2025, in addition to a Daytime Emmy win. The recognition adds another milestone to the Wicked era for both stars, who also received Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Grammy nominations for their film performances. The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air September 14 on NBC.
