Acclaimed actress and singer Cynthia Erivo has spoken of her profound honour and surprise at being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year Honours list. The Wicked film star admitted she "never thought" the prestigious recognition for her services to music and drama would happen.
On the Cusp of EGOT Status
At 38, Erivo is tantalisingly close to achieving the rare entertainment industry milestone of an EGOT – having won an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award. She now needs only an Oscar to complete the coveted set. Speaking to the Press Association about her MBE, she said: "To be given this recognition to celebrate the work that I love to do within the arts, specifically music and drama, is an honour I could never have thought would happen. I hope it shows that I care deeply about the work and will continue to do so to the best of my abilities."
A Stellar Career from London to Hollywood
Born in Stockwell, London, on 8 January 1987, Erivo trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2010. Her breakthrough came with her powerhouse portrayal of Celie in The Colour Purple. For the Broadway revival in 2016, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress, followed by a Grammy in 2017 for the cast album and a Daytime Emmy.
Her transition to film saw critical acclaim for roles including Harriet Tubman in the 2019 biopic Harriet, which earned her Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations. The 2020s have brought further accolades, including Oscar nominations for Harriet and Wicked.
Defying Gravity as Elphaba and Looking Ahead
Erivo's ascent to global fame was cemented with her starring role as the green witch Elphaba in the two-part film adaptation of Wicked, opposite Ariana Grande. She revealed a personal connection to the character, relating to feelings of being an outsider.
Looking forward, her schedule remains packed. In 2025, she and Grande performed "Defying Gravity" at the Oscars, she hosted the Tony Awards, and played Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl. For 2026, she is set to star as Dracula in a gothic stage adaptation in London's West End. With a Golden Globe nomination already secured, she is widely tipped for an Oscar nomination for her role in the second Wicked movie, For Good.
