Sunny Hostin Applauds Ariana Grande for Letting Cynthia Erivo ‘Shine’ at the Oscars: ‘This Is What the World Needs’

The View’s Sunny Hostin Praises Ariana Grande’s Graceful Gesture Toward Cynthia Erivo During Their Show-Stopping Oscars Performance

Sunny Hostin is celebrating Ariana Grande’s heartfelt display of support for Cynthia Erivo during their breathtaking performance at the 2025 Academy Awards—calling it a lesson in grace the world desperately needs.

Sunny Hostin on The View; Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande at the 97th Oscars held at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2025 in Hollywood, California

During Monday’s episode of The View, Hostin reflected on the powerful moment between the two Wicked stars, who opened the Oscars with a dazzling Wizard of Oz-themed medley.

“I loved the opening as well because there was a moment when Ariana Grande allowed Cynthia the space to shine,” Hostin, 56, said. “That kind of support, that kind of sisterhood, is something the world needs a lot more of.”

As the show played a clip of the pair performing Defying Gravity, Hostin highlighted a particularly touching gesture:

📌 Grande softly kissed Erivo’s hand before stepping aside, allowing her costar to command the stage for the song’s climactic finish.

“That kiss, that moment of saying ‘this is your time, take it’—that’s what true support looks like,” Hostin noted. “I loved seeing that.”

An Unforgettable Oscars Opening

Grande and Erivo’s emotional and electrifying duet was one of the most talked-about moments of the night. The chemistry between the two stars, who are set to lead the upcoming Wicked film adaptation, made for an instant Oscars classic.

The night also saw The View’s Whoopi Goldberg take the stage in a dazzling, shimmering ensemble, joining Oprah Winfrey to introduce a musical tribute to Quincy Jones, the legendary producer-composer behind The Color Purple.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande perform onstage during the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California.

Goldberg’s return to The View just hours after the ceremony in Los Angeles left her cohosts stunned.

“Yesterday, we all found out that Whoopi Goldberg has a snatched waist!” joked panelist Ana Navarro, referencing Goldberg’s jaw-dropping look from the Oscars. “Look at that bumblebee!”

Ariana & Cynthia’s Bond: A Lesson in Lifting Each Other Up

While the Oscars often spotlight individual achievements, Grande and Erivo’s performance served as a reminder of the beauty of collaboration—and how women in entertainment can empower each other instead of competing.

Hostin’s praise for Grande’s graceful moment with Erivo highlights something deeper than just an Oscars performance—it’s a message of unity, respect, and shared success that resonates far beyond the stage.