Cynthia Erivo Makes History as First Black Woman with Two Golden Globe Lead Actress Nominations

Wickedly Successful! Cynthia Erivo could be trading her broomstick in for a Golden Globe soon.

The Emmy Award-winning actress just made history, becoming the first black woman to be nominated twice in the Golden Globe’s lead actress (comedy or musical) category. This also makes her the first black and openly queer woman to receive two nods in the lead actress category at the Golden Globe Awards.

What role earned her this historic feat? Erivo’s portrayal of the green-skinned cardigan-dawning baddie Elphaba Thropp (hey, Fiyero) in Wicked: For Good.

Erivo is no stranger to being nominated at the Golden Globes, having received a nomination in the lead actress (comedy or musical) category in 2024 for Wicked, where she was bested by Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’.

This year the competition in the category is fierce with Erivo being nominated alongside Amanda Seyfried (“The Testament of Ann Lee”) and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”). Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Chase Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”),

Erivo took to her Instagram story to express her gratitude for the nomination, writing, “WOW!!! What lovely news to receive live from the rehearsal room of @draculawestend.
It’s an honor to be nominated once again for this film.
It has been a beautiful journey to play this character, and this is the cherry on top.
This entire journey could never have been possible without the wonderful leadership of my brother and glorious director, @onchu, and producer extraordinair everyone could only wish for, Marc Plat.”

She ended the statement with a special shoutout to co-star Ariana Grande who also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture. “Congratulations to my sweet sister @arianagrande!!! Thank you @goldenslobes!!!” she said.

In addition to her nominations for her portrayal of Elphaba Thropp in the Wicked franchise, Erivo received two nominations at the 77th Golden Globes for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama and Best Original Song – Motion Picture for Harriet.

Two years later, in 2021, she followed up those nominations with a nomination for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for Genius: Aretha.

Erivo, who is currently in London for rehearsals for her upcoming one-woman West End production of Dracula, told The Hollywood Reporter her nomination was a “ beautiful, beautiful surprise.”

She continued saying “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind from the beginning of the first film right through to this moment here. I don’t know that any experience is comparable. I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like it,” she said.

“To be nominated twice with this movie is really special,” she said. “I think that’s a testament to the work of Jon Chu and every single other person who has touched this set — Ari[ana Grande] and Jonathan [Bailey] and Marc Platt, who is our wonderful producer. Everyone has done such beautiful work, and I feel very lucky to be a part of it.”

After hitting theaters last November, Wicked has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon. After grossing over $750 million at the box office, the film became the highest-grossing live-action film with an LGBTQ+ lead actor (domestically) due to star Cynthia Erivo’s lead role as Elphaba.

The film was a critical success, receiving 10 total nominations at the 97th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Lead Actress for Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande as Glinda. Other nominations include: costume design, editing, makeup and hairstyling, production design, original score, sound, and visual effects.

Last month, Wicked: For Good” raked in $226M at the box office worldwide, officially becoming the best box office openings ever for Erivo, Grande, and movie director Jon M. Chu.