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Cynthia Erivo will not be walking the red carpet at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards, despite earning another major nomination. The acclaimed actor and singer will be absent from the 83rd Golden Globe ceremony because of her demanding rehearsal schedule for the West End stage production of Dracula, which is currently deep in preparation in London.
Erivo, who stars in the blockbuster musical film Wicked: For Good, is nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy. However, producers of her upcoming stage project are unable to release her from rehearsals to travel to Los Angeles. The one woman production of Dracula, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, begins previews on February 4, leaving little flexibility in her schedule as opening night approaches.
The West End production is highly anticipated and represents one of the most ambitious roles of Erivo’s career. She will portray 23 characters throughout the show, including the iconic Count Dracula himself. The scale and intensity of the role require full commitment, and Erivo has been based in London for rehearsals since late last year.
Already a Tony Award winner for her performance in The Color Purple, Erivo continues to build a remarkable career across film, television, and stage. Her Golden Globe nomination for Wicked: For Good marks her fifth overall nomination from the organization. She was previously recognized for her powerful portrayal of Harriet Tubman in Harriet, earning nominations for both acting and original song. She also received acclaim for her role as Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha and for her work in the first Wicked film.
This year’s nomination also places Erivo in the history books. She became the first Black woman to be nominated twice in the lead actress category for musical or comedy performances. Speaking with Variety when nominations were announced, Erivo expressed hope that her recognition would open doors for others. She shared that she hoped her achievement would be just the beginning and that many more Black women would follow in her footsteps.
In the same category this year, Erivo is joined by Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Amanda Seyfried for The Testament of Ann Lee, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.
Wicked: For Good enters the Golden Globes with five nominations overall. The film is competing for cinematic and box office achievement after grossing more than 500 million dollars worldwide. In addition to Erivo’s nomination, Ariana Grande earned a nod for best supporting actress, while Stephen Schwartz received two nominations for best original song.
The success of Wicked: For Good continues the momentum of the franchise, following the first film’s strong awards showing, which included ten Academy Award nominations at the 97th Oscars. Both Erivo and Grande have consistently appeared on awards season ballots, further solidifying the film’s impact. Erivo, who is just one Oscar win away from achieving EGOT status, remains a central figure in this awards run, even if she cannot attend the Golden Globes in person.
While fans may miss seeing her on the red carpet, Erivo’s absence underscores her dedication to the stage and to a production that promises to be one of the most talked about theatrical events of the year.
