By Samantha Ofole-Prince
America’s largest film critics organization has chosen Cynthia Erivo as the Best Actress of 2024.
She rose to prominence in the United States when she played the historical figure Harriet Tubman, and with films that include “Widows,” “Chaos Walking,” and “Bad Times at the El Royale” Erivo, whose parents are Nigerian, has amassed an incredible body of work.
The Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award-winning actress who can be seen in “Wicked,” the untold story of the witches of Oz, has been selected to receive the Best Actress Award by the Critics Choice Association for her performance in Universal Pictures’ movie.
Directed by Jon M. Chu (“Crazy Rich Asians”), “Wicked” which releases in theaters on November 26, stars Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power. She forges an unlikely friendship with Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition and following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads, and their lives take very different paths.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) is the largest critics organization in the United States and Canada and they will also honor Tyler Perry, who has helmed 24 feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 television shows, and penned two New York Times bestselling books with the Icon Award.
Other award recipients include Regina King who will receive the Trailblazer Award for her remarkable career, including her recent work on Netflix’s “Shirley,” the inspiring biopic following the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, and her historic presidential campaign in 1972.
The awards will be handed out next month in Los Angeles at CCA’s 7th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television.
Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film.
