Oscars 2025 recap: Highlights and biggest moments from 97th Academy Awards

The 2025 Oscars kicked off Sunday evening with a gravity-defying musical performance from two popular stars.

Ariana Grande kicked things off with a performance of "Over the Rainbow" from 1939's "The Wizard of Oz," following a visual package celebrating the city of Los Angeles.

She ditched her usual Glinda pink for a ruby red gown, channeling Dorothy's iconic shoes.

She was followed by Elphaba herself, Cynthia Erivo, nailing "Home" from the "The Wiz." (The late Quincy Jones supervised the adaptation of songs from the Broadway musical for the 1978 film starring Michael Jackson.)

Then Grande and Erivo teamed up for a dynamic duet of "Defying Gravity." And yes, they hit the note.

Erivo is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Elphaba in "Wicked," Grande is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Glinda, and the film is up for Best Picture.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The 97th Academy Awards are live on ABC and streaming on Hulu now!

Ben Stiller took a moment to remember the late Gene Hackman on the 2025 Oscars red carpet Sunday night.

"He was someone I looked up to as one of the most authentic, real, charismatic and honest actors," Stiller told ABC on the carpet, adding "He was a giant."

The pair worked together on 2001's "The Royal Tenenbaums."

Timothée Chalamet enjoyed a special night out at the Oscars with his mom.

The two were photographed walking hand in hand into the Dolby Theatre ahead of the show.