Cynthia Erivo just proved that awards season loves a little drama, a little music, and a whole lot of history making.
The powerhouse performer secured her second nomination in the Golden Globes lead actress in a comedy or musical category for her role as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good.
Frens, this makes her the first Black woman to be nominated twice in this category.
Talk about legendary.
A Milestone That Hits Different
Let me set the stage for you.
This category has not always shown Black women the love they deserve.
Before today, only twelve Black women had ever been nominated.
Only one had ever won, and that was the incomparable Angela Bassett in 1994 for What’s Love Got to Do With It.
Now Cynthia Erivo is back again, broom in hand, snatching nominations and shaking the table.
She’s nominated alongside Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Amanda Seyfried for The Testament of Ann Lee, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.
Cynthia said back to back like Drake and I respect the consistency.
A Look At Every Black Woman Ever Nominated In This Category
Here’s the full list for perspective, and honestly, it’s giving overdue flowers:
- Dorothy Dandridge, Porgy and Bess — Nominated
- Diahann Carroll, Claudine — Nominated
- Irene Cara, Fame — Nominated
- Jennifer Beals, Flashdance — Nominated
- Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act — Nominated
- Angela Bassett, What’s Love Got to Do With It — Won
- Pam Grier, Jackie Brown — Nominated
- Beyoncé, Dreamgirls — Nominated
- Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona — Nominated
- Quvenzhané Wallis, Annie — Nominated
- Fantasia Barrino, The Color Purple — Nominated
- Cynthia Erivo, Wicked — Nominated
- Zendaya, Challengers — Nominated
Only three of these honored performances went on to receive Oscar nominations: Diahann Carroll for Claudine, Angela Bassett for What’s Love Got to Do With It, and Cynthia Erivo for Wicked. A moment of applause for that level of excellence.
The Snub Heard Around The Critics Choice Awards
What makes this Golden Globes milestone even sweeter is the sting that came before it.
Cynthia was left off the Critics Choice Awards lineup for her work in Wicked: For Good.
The sequel pulled in seven nominations, including best picture, supporting actress for Ariana Grande, and multiple craft categories, yet Cynthia was oddly missing from the lead actress list.
Clearly the Globes said not on our watch.
Wicked Season Is Still Wicked-ing
Between audience love, critical acclaim, and awards season buzz, Wicked: For Good is thriving. Cynthia’s nomination reflects a long overdue shift toward embracing Black women in comedic and musical lead roles.
It is a win for representation, a win for the culture, and a win for every Fren who has replayed “Defying Gravity” more times than we are willing to admit.
The Golden Globes air January 11 on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
Related: 2026 Golden Globe Nominations Announced: Full List of Film, TV And Podcast Nominees
I will absolutely be seated with snacks. How about you?
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