Critics Choice nominations overlook Cynthia Erivo

The Critics Choice Awards revealed their latest nominations on Friday, and several notable actors were surprisingly left out. The most unexpected omission was Cynthia Erivo, who delivered a standout performance as Elphaba in Wicked: For Good.

The 38-year-old actress did not make the cut for Best Actress, despite having received a nomination for the same role in the original Wicked film last year. This year, the Best Actress category includes Jessie Buckley for Hamnet, Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs Id Kick You, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Renate Reinsve for Sentimental Value, Amanda Seyfried for The Testament of Ann Lee, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.

Despite Erivos absence from the individual acting nominations, Wicked: For Good received seven overall nominations, covering Best Picture, Best Casting and Ensemble, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Hair and Makeup, and Best Song.

Erivos co-star, Ariana Grande, earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda. She competes against Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (Sentimental Value), Amy Madigan (Weapons), Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), and Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another). Grande acknowledged Erivos influence in her Instagram Story, highlighting how her performance was shaped by the lead actress: My Glinda does not exist without the imprint of our remarkable leader Jon M. Chu or without being touched by my Elphaba, the singular Cynthia Erivo, she wrote.

Director Jon M. Chu, despite the films box office success, was not nominated for Best Director. The category features Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Josh Safdie (Marty Supreme), Joachim Trier (Sentimental Value), and Chlo Zhao (Hamnet).

Fans expressed frustration over Erivos snub on social media, with one calling it absolutely insane and another describing it as REVOLTING! Many highlighted the actresss live singing and acting performance, particularly in the song No Good Deed, as evidence of her deserving recognition.

The Critics Choice Awards will broadcast live from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Viewers can watch the ceremony on E! or USA Network starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Author: Connor Blake