Ariana Grande Opens the Oscars Wearing a Unique Oz-Inspired Schiaparelli Gown With Red Ruby Slippers
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought audience members (and viewers at home) to tears when they opened the 97th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 2 with a heartwarming musical ode to “The Wizard of Oz” and “Wicked.”
Grande performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” while Erivo sang “Home” from “The Wiz” — the two joined together for their powerful duet “Defying Gravity,” which features Erivo’s famous riff.
As expected, Grande’s performance outfit paid homage to “The Wizard of Oz,” stepping out on stage wearing a gorgeous custom red Schiaparelli ensemble that included not two, but three, ruby red slippers — not only did she wear a pair of bow-adorned pumps, but a sparkling stiletto was sculpted into the back of her dress.
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In a rich shade gem stone red, Grande’s glittering strapless gown called to mind the famous shoes that transported Dorothy Gale back from Oz back to Kansas. The sequined garment was accented by ethereal layers of lightweight fabric creating a princess-like ballgown skirt. And then there was the extra something that made the gown an unmistakable ode to Oz — the shape of a classic pump with a tall stiletto heel could be seen in the back, making a distinctive sartorial statement.
Of course, that wasn’t the only ruby heel included in Grande’s outfit. With bows adorning the vamp, her sparkling shoes were a fun spin on Dorothy’s legendary slippers. The silhouette also included a low-cut vamp, sharply pointed toe and heel.
The Oscars 2025, officially known as the 97th Academy Awards, are taking place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2. The ceremony will honor movies released in 2024. Conan O’Brian will host the event that will celebrate films like “Wicked,” “The Substance,” “The Brutalist, “A Complete Unknown,” “Emilia Pérez” and more. Notable nominees for acting categories include Zoe Saldaña, Ariana Grande, Demi Moore, Colman Domingo and more.
