Ariana Grande Stuns at BAFTA 2025: Fashion, Drama, and Surprising Snubs Shake Up the Night!

Ariana Grande has done it again, folks. The 2025 EE BAFTA Awards were no exception when the 31-year-old superstar showed up in a jaw-dropping outfit that could only be described as a fashion earthquake. Seriously, she walked onto the red carpet like a force of nature, leaving everyone else—well, in the dust. Don’t even try to deny it. When Ariana makes an entrance, you know the world is about to stop and take notice.

Ariana’s Jaw-Dropping Fashion Moment

This year, the star of Wicked chose an ensemble that had everyone in the room gasping. A deep-plunging black velvet corset. A voluminous, pastel pink skirt that looked like it had been spun from clouds. It was a choice, and a bold one at that. You know how they say “less is more”? Ariana clearly didn’t get the memo—because she went full throttle with a look that screamed, “I’m here, I’m fabulous, and you’re gonna remember me.”

She topped it all off with a silver necklace that shimmered like the moonlight itself, an ultra-slick red bun that was so high it could’ve been seen from space, and makeup that practically begged you to ask, “How does she always look this good?” The woman is serving beauty, brains, and one heck of an attitude. Ariana posed with her usual confidence, letting her tattoos on her arms and hands peek through the sleeves of her dress, just another tiny detail that says, “I’m not your average star.” It’s like she knows she’s a walking fashion statement and isn’t afraid to flaunt it.

A Glimpse Into the BAFTA 2025

Now, let’s talk about the event itself, shall we? The 2025 EE BAFTA Awards were back in full force, this time being held at the Royal Festival Hall, after being hosted at the Royal Albert Hall for the past six years. And trust me, the change in venue didn’t take away from the sheer glam factor. The place was packed with Hollywood royalty, British darlings, and a whole lot of eager eyes that were ready to dissect every single detail. Because let’s be real: the BAFTAs are just as much about the drama on the red carpet as they are about the actual awards.

Speaking of drama, can we talk about the films that dominated this year’s nominations? Oh, honey, if you thought this was going to be a straightforward, “good old-fashioned” award show, you were dead wrong. The real headline here? Thriller Conclave, which totally shook things up by securing an unbelievable 12 nominations in all categories. Yes, you heard that right. Twelve. To put it in perspective: Twelve. If Conclave doesn’t win big, I’m about to riot. I mean, it’s a thriller, it’s about a secret papal election (a thriller about popes?), and it stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini. What’s not to love? But I know what you’re thinking—”Is it really that good?” Spoiler alert: yes, it is. And I can hear all the haters getting ready to clutch their pearls, but we all know this film had “Oscar buzz” written all over it, so sit tight and let the popcorn settle.

Emilia Perez’s Shocking Surge

And if you thought that was wild, just wait for Emilia Perez—this Spanish drama comes in with a surprising 11 nominations. It’s got more attention than a new iPhone release, and it’s only getting started. It was the underdog story of the year, with Perez managing to snag more nominations than Gladiator 2 (yes, the sequel, which let’s face it, has been more miss than hit). Not only did Emilia Perez push past expectations, but it also killed it at the Golden Globes, racking up 10 awards. Can we talk about how this film snuck its way into the conversation? It’s as if the entire BAFTA committee got together, looked at Gladiator 2 and went, “Nah, we’re good with this one.”

Which brings us to Gladiator 2. The movie that was supposed to be a guaranteed smash? Yeah, about that. The sequel that everyone expected to crush it was handed nothing but disappointment. Let’s just say that the BAFTA committee wasn’t feeling it. It didn’t win Best Picture, and worst of all, the lead actor Paul Mescal didn’t even make the cut for Best Actor. Gasp. I can already hear the toxic Twitter comments coming in hot: “How could they ignore Paul Mescal, he’s sooooo good?” Trust me, I get it. But we all know that sometimes, even the most hyped-up films fall flat when it matters. Sorry, but we can’t all be Wicked.

Cynthia Erivo’s Shot at Glory

Speaking of Wicked, Cynthia Erivo was one of the most talked-about nominees of the evening. The 38-year-old actress was up for Best Actress for her role in the smash-hit musical, but there was one thing that had everyone scratching their heads. Some fans were so invested in Erivo’s chances that they practically planned out her acceptance speech in advance. But not everyone was rooting for her. You could practically feel the tension between the “Wicked” fans and the “Emilia Perez” devotees. Oh, it’s like a reality show in the making, only with more sequins.

And while we’re talking about new developments, let’s not forget the BAFTA’s decision to add some fresh categories this year. Among them is the brand-new “Best Children’s and Family Film” category, which everyone’s calling the feel-good wildcard of the night. Honestly, I can’t help but feel like this category was designed to really make the older, stuffier nominees a little uncomfortable. It’s 2025, baby—if you’re not catering to the young generation, you’re doing it wrong.

And then there’s Dune 2 and The Brutalist, two movies that are fighting tooth and nail for nominations. Both films received seven nods each, and trust me, people are going back and forth about which one deserves to come out on top. Dune 2 is full of epic sci-fi vibes, and The Brutalist is all about gritty drama. The battle lines are being drawn, and I can already hear the heated debates. “Is The Brutalist really better than Dune?” “Well, Dune was just a bunch of sand.” Like, seriously, this is what we’ve come to. It’s high drama, people.

A New Star Emerges: Marisa Abela

Let’s not forget the fresh faces in this year’s BAFTA mix. Marisa Abela, who plays Amy Winehouse in Back to Black, led the nominations for the EE Rising Star award. Her 2024 performance was so good it’s practically criminal—like, how did she not already win everything in sight? It’s clear that she’s got the star power to back it up. I mean, she’s already been featured in major films and TV shows. But did we really expect her to get this much recognition this quickly? In a word: yes. Because when you’ve got that kind of raw talent, the world can’t help but take notice.

Of course, we can’t forget about the host of the night. David Tennant made his grand return for the second year in a row, and let’s be real: the man is a whole vibe. Not only is he hilarious, but his wit and charm have made him one of the most beloved hosts in recent BAFTA history. Let’s just hope he doesn’t get too caught up in the chaos of the evening—or worse, the toxic BAFTA fanbase coming for him because of their “lost” favorites. After all, he’s got a reputation to uphold.

Royal Drama: A Snub for Kate Middleton?

And, oh, the drama on the royal front. This year, Prince William and Kate Middleton—normally inseparable at the BAFTAs—were noticeably absent from the red carpet. Sure, the prince showed up solo, but the rumors surrounding Kate’s absence are running rampant. Last year, she missed the event due to illness, and the world has been gossiping ever since. Was she going to attend this year? Well, considering the royal family is known for dropping little “royal tea” bombs, we all can only speculate.

In conclusion, the 2025 EE BAFTA Awards were not just a night of fashion, films, and winners. They were a spectacle—a hot mess of drama, surprises, and social media fodder. The red carpet? Fire. The nominations? Shady and full of controversy. And the winners? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. But if you didn’t tune in, don’t worry. The gossip has already spread. Grab your popcorn, because 2025 is shaping up to be one hell of a year.