Ariana Grande Oscars 2025: Her Tribute to Dorothy Includes a Surprise Ruby Slipper and 150,000 Sequins

Ariana Grande’s Oscars 2025 dress for her performance to open the show was a perfectly constructed homage to Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz—down to a ruby slipper in an unexpected place and 150,000 sequins.

Grande, who is nominated for best supporting actress for her role as Glinda in Wicked, kicked off the show by singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow as a tribute to Los Angeles in light of the January wildfires. She was then joined by her co-star and fellow nominee Cynthia Erivo, who sang “Home” from The Wiz. Then they sang a duet of “Defying Gravity,” because how could they not?

Her look was essentially Dorothy’s ruby slipper turned into a gown. The custom Schiaparelli stunner had a fitted ruby strapless crystal bodice with a full tulle skirt and 150,000 Siam sequins.

She wore on her feet matching pumps, that with their bow detail, were an elevated version of Dorothy’s classic shoes.

But the best detail? An actual ruby slipper, placed delicately on the back of the gown under her neck, which the fashion house described as a “tonal 3D trompe l’oeil vintage shoe.”

And while it’s undoubtedly chic, is it me or is this back placement also a Substance vibe (okay, it’s probably not but that would be funny).

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