No good deed goes unpunished, especially in awards season.
Cynthia Erivo has made Golden Globes history, becoming the first Black woman nominated twice in the lead actress (comedy or musical) category. The recognition comes for her towering performance as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s box office smash “Wicked: For Good,” marking her second nomination in the category following her nod for “Wicked” just last year.
This year, Erivo was nominated alongside Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”), Kate Hudson (“Song Sung Blue”), Chase Infiniti (“One Battle After Another”), Amanda Seyfried (“The Testament of Ann Lee”) and Emma Stone (“Bugonia”).
The milestone arrives within a category that has long seen limited representation for Black women. Before Erivo’s second nomination, only 12 Black women had been nominated in the Globes’ comedy actress race since its inception, with just one winner to date — Angela Bassett, who took home the prize in 1994 for her portrayal of Tina Turner in “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Last year was the first time more than one Black woman was nominated in the category, with Erivo and Zendaya from the sports film “Challengers.” Demi Moore eventually won the category for her work in “The Substance.”
The complete list of Black women nominated for lead actress (comedy or musical) at the Golden Globes is below:
- Dorothy Dandridge, “Porgy and Bess” — Nominated
- Diahann Carroll, “Claudine” — Nominated
- Irene Cara, “Fame” — Nominated
- Jennifer Beals, “Flashdance” — Nominated
- Whoopi Goldberg, “Sister Act” — Nominated
- Angela Bassett, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” — Won
- Pam Grier, “Jackie Brown” — Nominated
- Beyoncé, “Dreamgirls” — Nominated
- Rebecca Hall, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” — Nominated
- Quvenzhané Wallis, “Annie” — Nominated
- Fantasia Barrino, “The Color Purple” — Nominated
- Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked” — Nominated
- Zendaya, “Challengers” — Nominated
Of the 13 performances recognized in the category, three have gone on to earn Academy Award nominations: Carroll for “Claudine,” Bassett for “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and Erivo for “Wicked.”
The nomination comes following her shocking snub at the Critics Choice Awards for her work in the sequel. Despite the strong showing for “Wicked: For Good,” which earned seven nominations, including best picture, supporting actress for Ariana Grande and key craft races, Erivo was left off a lineup.
Erivo’s breakthrough continues a banner awards-season run for “Wicked: For Good,” which has performed strongly across Globes categories, including best picture (comedy or musical). Her nomination also displays a growing, but still overdue, recognition of Black women in lead comedic roles.
The Golden Globes are set for Jan. 11.
Variety parent company Penske Media Corporation owns Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Prods. in a joint venture with Eldridge.
