Cynthia Erivo Poised to Make History as the Youngest EGOT Winner After Her ‘Wicked’ Oscar Nomination

The Actress Receives Her Second Oscar Nomination, Bringing Her One Step Closer to Achieving the Coveted EGOT Status

Cynthia Erivo is once again on the verge of making history. After receiving her second Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Elphaba in the highly anticipated “Wicked” movie, the actress and singer has earned a renewed chance at becoming the youngest person ever to join the elite EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) club.

Erivo first came close to this prestigious achievement in 2020 when she was nominated for two Oscars — Best Actress for her role in “Harriet” and Best Original Song for “Stand Up.” Though she didn’t win that year, she was already seen as a frontrunner in the race to EGOT status, and now, with her second Oscar nomination, she finds herself closer than ever to this remarkable milestone.

At 38 years old, Erivo could soon break the record held by songwriter Robert Lopez, who became the youngest EGOT winner at 39 in 2014. With this potential Oscar win, Erivo stands poised to make history, joining legends like Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg, and Elton John in the exclusive club.

A Career of Accolades

Erivo’s journey towards an EGOT has already seen her collecting accolades across major award shows. In 2016, she earned a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her powerful performance as Celie in the Broadway production of “The Color Purple.” The following year, she took home a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for her work in the same show. Erivo also won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2017 alongside her cast members for “The Color Purple” in the category of Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program.

The Emotional Reaction

When Erivo learned of her third Oscar nomination, she was overwhelmed with emotion, sharing a heartfelt video on Instagram of herself wiping away tears as she listened to “Defying Gravity” while on a plane. In her post, she expressed her deep gratitude for the recognition, calling it a dream come true.

“I am grateful, grateful to @theacademy, grateful to be a part of something that makes people feel seen, grateful to be a cog in the wheel of a piece that makes us believe in magic,” she wrote.

Erivo also expressed pride in her co-nominee, Ariana Grande, who is also being recognized for her performance in “Wicked.” The two share a special connection, and Erivo showered her younger co-star with praise, writing, “Congratulations first time nominee, I’m so so proud of you!!”

What’s Next for Erivo?

With her incredible talent and a growing list of accolades, Cynthia Erivo is well on her way to joining the ranks of EGOT winners. Whether she wins the Oscar this time or not, her place in the entertainment industry is firmly cemented, and she continues to inspire with every step of her remarkable journey.

As Erivo ascends to greater heights, the world watches closely, eager to see if she will become the youngest person to achieve one of the most coveted honors in entertainment.