UPDATE: Fans of Ariana Grande erupted in outrage after she lost the Best Supporting Actress award to Amy Madigan at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026, held at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar. Grande was nominated for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked: For Good, but the coveted honor went to the surprise winner Madigan for her performance as Aunt Gladys in the horror film Weapons.
The backlash was immediate as fans took to social media, claiming Grande had been “robbed” and lamenting that the “wrong witch won.” One fan tweeted, “AMY MADIGAN IMA LET YOU FINISH BUT ARIANA GRANDE HAD THE BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS PERFORMANCE!!!” echoing Kanye West’s infamous 2009 VMAs interruption.
Madigan’s unexpected win caught even her by surprise. “I really wasn’t expecting all of this,” she admitted during her acceptance speech. The 75-year-old actress thanked the fans who supported her character, stating, “I get makeup tutorials and paintings. It’s crazy.” Grande, despite the disappointment, was seen cheering for Madigan as she accepted the award.
The Critics Choice Awards kicked off the 2026 awards season, with Chelsea Handler hosting for the fourth consecutive year. The event is widely viewed as a bellwether for future accolades, including the prestigious Academy Awards.
With the Golden Globe Awards approaching on January 11, the spotlight is now on whether Grande will receive recognition there. Fans are eagerly anticipating the outcomes, hoping the upcoming ceremony will redeem her performance.
The Critics Choice Awards are known for their accuracy in predicting Oscar outcomes, adding to the significance of this year’s results. As the awards season heats up, the conversation surrounding who truly deserves the accolades will continue to intensify, particularly for fans of Grande who feel emotionally invested in her journey.
The ceremony featured several major nominations, with Sinners leading with a staggering 17 nominations, closely followed by One Battle After Another and Wicked: For Good. The competitive atmosphere showcases a vibrant mix of talent across film and television, making the stakes higher than ever.
As the dust settles from the Critics Choice Awards, all eyes are on the upcoming Golden Globes and how the industry will respond to the passionate outcry from Grande’s dedicated fanbase. The narrative around this awards season is shaping up to be as captivating as the performances celebrated within it.
Fans are left wondering, will Ariana Grande’s moment finally come at the Golden Globes? Only time will tell as this captivating story continues to unfold.
