Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has said her younger self is “smiling, beaming, glowing from ear to ear” following her Oscars nomination in the leading actress category.
After Thursday’s announcement, she congratulated her co-star and first-time nominee, Ariana Grande, and said: “There is no one in the world I would have wanted to do this with more than you.”
Wicked, which has secured 10 nods, features Grande as Glinda and Erivo as the green witch Elphaba, and is based on the West End and Broadway musical of the same name.
In an Instagram post, Erivo said: “Moments like this don’t come along very often, and when they do, it is sacrilege to let them pass by without a moment of gratitude.
“I am grateful, grateful to @theacademy, grateful to be a part of something that makes people feel seen, grateful to be a cog in the wheel of a piece that makes us believe in magic, grateful to have experienced a dream come true, and deeply deeply grateful for this unbelievable recognition.
“I often get asked what I would say to my younger self. Well today there’s nothing to be said.
“She is smiling, beaming, glowing from ear to ear. That speaks volumes.”
“To my sister, @arianagrande, what a joy it is to be here with you watching as you ascend and amaze and become the actress you were meant to be”, she added.
She also thanked their “fearless leader”, director Jon M Chu, for his “kindness”.
The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were announced on Thursday at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Los Angeles, after being postponed twice amid the wildfires in the region.
Erivo said she had “so much gratitude to them all, the first responders, and volunteers”.
After her own nomination in the supporting actress category, US pop star Grande wrote on Instagram that she could not “stop crying”.
She also said that she was “humbled and deeply honoured to be in such brilliant company”, and thanked director Chu for casting her.
“I am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo”, she added.
“Your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. I love you unconditionally, always.”
