Cynthia Erivo defied more than gravity when she became Elphaba Thropp. Despite the character being green, the Wicked star initially couldn't imagine taking on the role in the 2024 film adaptation alongside Ariana Grande's Glinda.

Through their art, our 2025 honorees Cynthia Erivo, Marla Gibbs, Teyana Taylor and Raamla Mohamed ensure that Black women feel represented

The actress won a Tony Award for “The Color Purple,” and is now nominated for an Oscar for playing Elphaba in the film adaptation of “Wicked.”

The British actress and singer is still riding the success from her starring role as Elphaba in the film adaptation of "Wicked."

Performances for “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl will begin on Aug. 1 and run through Aug. 3. More casting will be announced at a later date. Tony Award winner Sergio Trujillo is serving as director and choreographer for the show, while Tony winner Stephen Oremus is set to serve as musical director and conductor.

When Cynthia Erivo steps into a room, the energy shifts. The Tony-winning performer has become one of entertainment's most magnetic forces.

This isn’t the first time that Erivo has participated in a gender-bent adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical; she sang the role of Mary Magdalene on the all-female She Is Risen concept albums,