Golden Globes history has been changed “for good,” thanks to Cynthia Erivo.
The celebrated actress and Broadway performer is officially the first Black woman to ever receive two nominations for best lead actress in a comedy or musical. (For reference: The first Golden Globes were given out in 1944.) Both of those nominations were conferred upon her for her portrayal of Elphaba, the witch at the emotional center of both “Wicked” films.
Representation for Black women has always been a problem in this category in particular, Variety reports – only 12 have ever received nominations at all. Of them, only one has won – Angela Bassett, for her performance as Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” And until last year, two Black women had never been nominated in the same year. (Actress Zendaya was nominated in 2024 for her starring performance in tennis film “Challengers.”)
This year also sees two Black women vying for the prize, as actress Chase Infiniti was also nominated for her leading work in action movie “One Battle After Another.” The category is rounded out by well-knowns Rose Byrne, Kate Hudson, Amanda Seyfried and Emma Stone.
Erivo is no stranger to award nods and wins, all of that said. Throughout her career, she has won a Tony, a Daytime Emmy and a Grammy, and has been nominated for five Golden Globes in all, as well as three Oscars and two British Academy Film Awards.
On her Instagram account, Erivo reacted to the news with excitement. “It’s an honor to be nominated once again for this film,” she wrote in Instagram Stories, adding that “it has been a beautiful journey to play this character, and this is the cherry on top.” She also thanked “Wicked” director John Chu and co-star Ariana Grande (who herself received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her work in the film).
The duo of Erivo and Grande made an additional bit of history, in that they are two of the only actors from the same film to be nominated twice for their portrayals of the same role.
“Wicked” received three other nominations from the Golden Globes this year – two for Best Original Song (“The Girl in the Bubble” and “No Place Like Home”), and one for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.
During a call to the Hollywood Reporter about her most recent nomination, Erivo discussed her feelings about the accolades – and about the end of the “Wicked” journey overall. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the experience,” she said in summation. But, she added, “it doesn’t feel like a goodbye – more like a ‘see you later.’”
Given her resume and history of recognition, we’re guessing she’s right about that.
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