Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez have competed before at music awards shows, but for the first time, the actresses are going head-to-head at the Golden Globes in the best supporting actress category. The competition hasn’t changed their offscreen relationship though. At today’s Academy Women’s Luncheon, they were seated next to each other. They took photos together there, both stars showing off their Chanel ensembles:
And they also exchanged adoring comments on social media. On Instagram, Gomez posted a photo of her and Grande, writing, “an angel on earth.” Grande reposted the Instagram Story and added, “that’s you @selenagomez.”
There’s a good chance Grande and Gomez could be competing against each other throughout awards season in the best supporting actress category. For the Golden Globes, Grande was recognized for her work playing Glinda in Wicked while Gomez got the nod for her role as Jessi Del Monte in Emilia Pérez.
Grande spoke to Variety about the nomination—her very first ever at the Golden Globes. She said, “I truly am an absolute mess. I’m so grateful. I have just been crying on FaceTime with my mom, and it’s hard to find words. I am so grateful I don’t know what to do! I have tissues in my hand just in case, because I’ve been crying on and off nonstop.”
She cried when asked about how it feels being recognized for her portrayal of Glinda, a longtime dream role for her. She composed herself and said, “It is so surreal I don’t even know how to articulate it. I am so moved and grateful. I have always respected this role and have always been aware of what it requires to play it. That’s why I’ve always adored and admired so many brilliant women who have played it before me. I know what it requires, and all I wanted to do was the work. From my first audition to my last day on set, I was so grateful for that privilege. When you’re focused on something for that long, and to see this kind of acknowledgment—it really is extraordinary. I’m deeply grateful, and I literally can’t wait to call my acting coach, Nancy Banks, and wake her up wherever she is in the world. I think she is across the country, but I don’t care. I’m going to call her and wake her up.”
As for Gomez, she spoke to ELLE in our December issue about how life-changing Emilia Pérez was for her. Working with Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña has been a true highlight.
Gomez explained, “Being in this moment with these women [talking] about a movie that’s so important and moving and beautiful, it’s been a wow moment for me. I definitely didn’t expect all of what’s happening. It just feels like a time in my life that I’m extremely grateful for. Honestly, every day I wake up thinking, How did I get to do this?”
Yesterday on her Instagram Story, the star shared a video of her live reaction when she found out she was nominated for the best supporting actress Golden Globe. She was so overcome with emotion, she buried her face in her hands. “I don’t even know what to write,” she captioned the footage. “I’m so proud of [Emilia Pérez co-star and fellow nominee] Zoe Saldaña, and I am so grateful and honored.”
