Michelle Yeoh Speaks Out on Wicked For Good’s 2026 Oscars Snub
Michelle Yeoh has spoken out following the snub of Wicked: For Good at the 2026 Oscars.
“I’m not surprised. I am in shock!” the 63-year-old actress expressed in an interview with Variety published on Thursday, February 12. “I really am.”
Yeoh, who portrayed Madame Morrible in both Wicked films, noted that although the first film received critical acclaim, the sequel also deserved recognition.
“I think sometimes the issue is that people believe, ‘Oh, you received plenty with the first one, let others have a chance.’ But then it feels like, ‘No, come on!’ It’s such a remarkable, well-crafted movie,” she added. “Paul [Tazewell] deserves accolades for costume design, hair, and makeup. When you compare it [to this year’s contenders], it should be recognized.”
Yeoh also mentioned that director Jon M. Chu and set designer Alice Brooks were equally deserving of nominations for their contributions to Wicked: For Good.
“It’s not a replica of the first one. It’s more elaborate with many new destinations in Wicked: For Good,” she clarified. “So I was genuinely, genuinely very disappointed.”
Last year, Wicked, based on the beloved Broadway musical, garnered an impressive 10 nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, as well as nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress categories, respectively. The musical ultimately won two Oscars for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
One year after the release of Wicked, the story reached a conclusion. In addition to following the play’s second act, two original songs were introduced to the film. Erivo, 39, performed the ballad “No Place Like Home,” while Grande, 32, sang “Girl in the Bubble.” While fans celebrated Wicked: For Good, it received less favorable reviews, scoring 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the first film’s 88 percent.
When the Oscar nominations were announced earlier this year, Wicked: For Good was unexpectedly left off the list. Best Picture nominees included Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, The Secret Agent, Sentimental Value, Sinners, F1, and Train Dreams. Fans voiced their frustration on social media over the exclusion of Wicked: For Good, especially in light of the inclusion of Brad Pitt’s blockbuster F1.
“I can’t believe F1 got nominated but not Wicked??????? Crazy work,” one user commented on X, while another added, “Wicked: For Good not being nominated for any Oscar is insane (and the F1 movie getting multiple is beyond absurd).”
Despite the recent Oscars snub, Grande and Erivo recently won the Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity” from the original film’s soundtrack.
“This is so special :’) @recordingacademy thank you so much!” Grande shared on her Instagram Story in February. “Congratulations to the amazing @cynthiaerivo! I love you and am so grateful to share this.”
Erivo expressed similar feelings on her Instagram, stating, “Sharing this win with @arianagrande makes it even sweeter. I love you, congratulations to us! Unlimited..”
