This awards season has to be a heady one for Cynthia Erivo.Wicked's commercial success would be phenomenal on its own, but the film that earned Erivo a BAFTA nomination for Best Leading Actress also has earned her a nomination for an Academy Award. The movie has 88 wins and 296 nominations to its credit and 46 of them are directed towards the actress who brought Elphaba to the screen. Organizations can't stop singing her praises this year and that now includes the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
Why is GLAAD honoring Erivo?
According to a report by Deadline, GLAAD plans to present the award-winning star the Stephen F. Kolzak Award on March 27. 2025. This is presented to a "LGBTQ media professional who has made a significant difference in raising visibility and promoting acceptance of LGBTQ people and issues." Says GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, "Her legacy is defined not by her numerous accolades and honors but by how with each platform and milestone, she continues to show up for Black, queer, and other marginalized peoples amid her well-deserved success."
The award is named for casting director Stephen F. Kolzak, who is described on Wikipedia as having "dedicated the last part of his life to fighting homophobia and AIDS-phobia within the entertainment industry." Past winners since it was awarded posthumously to the man it is named for have included Sir Ian McKellen, Ellen DeGeneres, Wanda Sykes, and Jim Parsons. Ellis also hailed Erivo because "From an outspoken ally to a trailblazing member of the community, Cynthia Erivo's one-of-a-kind voice has been an integral part of accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people since she came on the scene over a decade ago." Wicked is also nominated for Outstanding Film - Wide Theatrical Release at these same awards.
The late-March awards will occur 25 days after the 97th Academy Awards, where Wicked is nominated in ten categories. Erivo first received an Oscar nomination for her role in Harriet, where she depicted the eponymous Underground Railroad abolitionist Harriet Tubman. She could become the 22nd "EGOT" winner, as she has won Tony, Grammy and Daytime Emmy awards for her work in The Color Purple.
The second part of this movie, Wicked: For Good, is slated to open in November of 2025, with Erivo concluding the stage history of the wicked witch of the west. For now, we look forward to seeing the results of this exciting awards season.