2026 Oscar Nominations Snubs and Surprises: Ariana Grande Out, Delroy Lindo In

Zero nominations. Despite months of intense campaigning and chart-topping buzz, the second act of the Wicked saga failed to conjure a single Oscar nod. On January 22, 2026, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its shortlist, delivering a mix of heart-wrenching snubs and career-defining surprises. While stars like Ariana Grande woke up to disappointment, veterans like Delroy Lindo found themselves in the spotlight at last.

The 2026 Oscar Nominations Snubs: No Magic for Wicked

The most glaring absence from the list is Wicked: For Good. Expected to be a powerhouse in technical and acting categories, the film was completely shut out. Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, both previous awards season darlings, were bypassed by the actors' branch. According to reports from Entertainment Weekly, the sequel's dwindling box office performance and lack of critical momentum compared to the first film likely contributed to this total shutout, leaving even its production design and costumes unrecognized.

Unexpected Surprises: Fanning and Lindo Break Through

In a dramatic turn for the Best Supporting Actor race, Delroy Lindo secured a spot for his role in Sinners. This comes five years after his widely discussed snub for 'Da 5 Bloods.' Lindo’s nomination is particularly surprising as he missed out on Golden Globe and SAG nods, where his co-star Miles Caton was the frontrunner. Meanwhile, Paul Mescal's portrayal of William Shakespeare in 'Hamnet' became the season's biggest tragedy, failing to make the cut despite being a fixture in precursor nominations.