Historic Second Nomination for Trailblazing Black Woman
Cynthia Erivo has made history with her second nomination at the Golden Globes, marking a significant achievement for Black women in the film industry. She is the first Black woman to receive two nominations in the Lead Actress (Comedy or Musical) category. This year’s nomination comes from her acclaimed performance as Elphaba in the hit film “Wicked: For Good.”
Historic Achievement in a Challenging Category
Erivo’s nomination follows her previous nod for “Wicked” in 2022, showcasing her extraordinary talent. This year, she competes against a talented group of actresses, including:
- 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”)
- Emma Stone (“Bugonia”)
The recognition highlights a significant milestone in a category historically lacking representation for Black women. Since the Golden Globes began, only 12 Black women have been nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy or Musical, with only one winner to date: Angela Bassett in 1994 for “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Previous Nominations and Winners
Last year, the category made headlines as it had its first instance of multiple Black female nominees, when both Erivo and Zendaya were recognized. Despite their talents, Demi Moore took home the award for her role in “The Substance.”
The list of Black women nominated for Lead Actress in a Comedy or Musical includes:
- 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
Among these nominees, three performances have also received Academy Award nominations, underscoring the excellence and impact of these actresses in their craft.
Looking Ahead to the Golden Globes
Erivo’s recent nomination comes as a surprise after she was overlooked at the Critics Choice Awards. Despite the strong recognition for “Wicked: For Good,” which received seven nominations overall, Erivo’s name was missing from that lineup. The upcoming Golden Globes, scheduled for January 11, promise to showcase her remarkable achievements and the evolving representation of Black women in cinema.
