Ariana Grande to receive Rising Star Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival for ‘Wicked’
On Wednesday, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced that Ariana Grande would receive the Rising Star Award for her heralded performance in Universal Pictures’ “Wicked.” The blockbuster movie, directed by Jon M. Chu and co-starring Cynthia Erivo, has already made $270 million in the United States alone, making it one of the most successful adaptations of a Broadway musical in film history.
Grande is a Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global star, and now this is her first starring role in a major studio film.
The Palm Springs International Film Awards will take place on Jan. 3, 2025, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, with the festival running from Jan. 2 to Jan. 13. The highly anticipated, 12-day event will be presented by Silvercrest and sponsored by “Entertainment Tonight.”
In “Wicked,” Grande takes on the role of Galinda, a popular young student who begins an unlikely friendship with Erivo’s Elphaba, a young witch with green skin. Over the course of two movies, they will become the two classic characters people know and love from the original 1939 “The Wizard of Oz” film: Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. “Wicked: Part 2” will be released in November 2025.
Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi said, “In ‘Wicked,’ Ariana Grande’s portrayal of Glinda elevates her to new heights with a powerful acting performance that beautifully combines her outstanding musical talent, brilliant characterization and impeccable comedic timing. Ariana is an iconic global performer, who has seamlessly transitioned to film in her first major starring role, proving herself to be a multifaceted and undeniable talent. This role is certain to be the beginning of the many accolades she will garner throughout her acting career. It is our great honor to recognize Ariana Grande with the Rising Star Award.”
The list of former Rising Star Award recipients is a who’s-who of Hollywood. They include Gal Gadot (“Wonder Woman”), Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”), Anna Kendrick (“Up in the Air”), Scarlett Johansson (“Lost in Translation”), Jennifer Lawrence (“Winter’s Bone”), and Alicia Vikander (“The Danish Girl” and “Ex Machina”).
Other honorees at this year’s PSIFF awards show are Adrien Brody (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor); Timothée Chalamet (Chairman’s Award); “Conclave” (Ensemble Performance Award) presented to actors Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Lucian Msamati; Kieran Culkin (Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor); Colman Domingo (Spotlight Award, Actor); Angelina Jolie (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress); Nicole Kidman (International Star Award); Mikey Madison (Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress); and “Emilia Pérez” (Vanguard Award) presented to director Jacques Audiard and actors Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Edgar Ramírez.
