Did Cynthia Erivo win a Tony Award? What we know as the Wicked actress tapped to host Broadway’s biggest night

British actress and virtuoso Cynthia Erivo, who is nominated for this year’s Academy Award for Best Actress, has many feathers in her cap. Erivo, who has caught the world’s attention with her role in Wicked, is also an accomplished theater personality who is already a Tony Award winner.

Erivo won the Best Leading Actress in a Musical award at the Tonys in 2016 for her lead role as Celie in Broadway’s 2015 adaptation of The Color Purple. The timeless story of an African-American woman’s experiences in the 1900s, The Color Purple was initially adapted from Alice Walker’s novel into a film that created a star out of Academy Award winner Whoopi Goldberg.

Erivo’s association with the Tony Awards continues as the thespian has been called on to host the 78th edition of the Tony Awards ceremony, due to take place on June 8. The sprawling Radio City Music Hall in New York City is set to be the venue for Broadway’s most epic night.

The American Theater Wing and The Broadway League, which conduct the Tony Awards, announced the news on February 19. Heather Hitchens, the CEO of American Theater Wing, and Jason Laks, the President of The Broadway League said of Erivo while announcing the news,

“Her talent defies gravity and boundaries, and we are beyond thrilled to welcome her home to Broadway for what will be a joyful and inspiring celebration of the theatrical artform.”

Cynthia Erivo, almost an EGOT winner

The prestigious EGOT status is the crown jewel for any performer in the U.S. The status signifies when an artist has won the four coveted annual performance awards - the Emmys, the Grammys, the Oscar, and the Tonys.

Erivo, who has three of the four EGOT awards already, is going into the 2025 Oscars season with her second Academy Award nomination. The actress’ 2019 role in the biopic Harriet was her first Oscar nomination as lead actress. However, the award was taken home by Renée Zellweger for her role in Judy.

Erivo’s work in The Color Purple was heavily awarded. The cast recording of The Color Purple won the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2017. Erivo ended her 2017 awards season with a bang - she won an Emmy award for Best Musical Performance in a Daytime Program for The Color Purple’s cast’s performance on NBC’s program, Today.

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What's next for Cynthia Erivo?

Cynthia Erivo’s stint hosting the Tonys promises to be an interesting one as she looks to bring the lead actress Oscar home in March. Erivo’s next projects include Hollywood Bowl’s musical production Jesus Christ Superstar, the announcement of which is already creating news. Erivo is cast as Jesus in the rock musical, which will feature music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Directed by Sergio Trujillo, the show deals with the occurrences around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, according to Hollywood Bowl’s website.

Apart from this, Variety notes that the star recently completed production of season 2 of Peacock’s Poker Face.

Cynthia Erivo is looking ahead at what is sure to be an interesting year. If the success of Wicked is any indication, Erivo is a favorite at this year’s Oscars. As we look forward to be entranced by Erivo’s artistry and musical talents in 2025, here’s hoping that the actress completes her EGOT status!