- Cynthia Erivo is the star of Wicked
- But now the actor is trying her hand at another skill – by hosting the Tony Awards
- Erivo won a Tony Award in 2016 for her role in The Color Purple
Cynthia Erivo has become a household name after the success of Wicked Part One.
But before she was cast in the movie-musical adaptation, the actor, 38, had a number of accolades under her belt.
Twice Oscar-nominated for her role in the biographical film Harriet, Erivo was also the recipient of the Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award in 2016 for her leading performance in the musical, The Color Purple.
And in a full-circle moment, Erivo will now host this year’s ceremony on June 8.
“I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honour,” Erivo – who also won an Emmy and a Grammy for her role as Celie – revealed. “I am looking forward to ushering the theatre community at large through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year.”
She added, “I hope I can rise to the occasion.”
Wicked given official streaming date
If fans can’t wait to watch Erivo live at the Tonys via Paramount+ and CBS, they’ll be pleased to hear that Wicked now has an official debut date for streaming services.
The movie – which earned Erivo and Ariana Grande Oscar nominations for their roles as Elphaba and Glinda in the picture – will begin streaming exclusively on Peacock from March 21.
Not only that, but fans will also be able to access the Sing-Along version, as well as other bonus content.
Wicked made a worldwide gross of more than $727 million at the box office – making it the biggest Broadway adaptation of all-time globally.
Ariana Grande to take on more acting roles
And Erivo isn’t the only cast member taking on new challenges – as Grande is parking her pop career to take on more acting roles.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Grande, 31, has been offered a number of projects since the Jon M. Chu-directed movie-musical.
While she is yet to engage with any offers, the parts she has been presented with are reportedly a disaster wedding comedy, a female detective romp set in a Housewives-style reality show, and a Spaceballs sequel.
When asked about the roles, Grande told the outlet, “Well, I can neither confirm nor deny, but I’m blushing.
“I just think it’s such an important thing to stay connected to that guttural creative thing in my heart and my chest that wants to give itself over to something that screams at me and says, ‘Oh, that’s a really cool challenge.’ I have a thing, and when it goes off, I know.”
Grande also admitted that she knows the experience of being in Wicked will be hard to replicate – so isn’t going to try.
“I think it makes you hungry for something different,” she said.
