Cynthia Erivo kept the momentum of her awards season alive at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Friday evening.
Gracing the event in a sultry deep-cut peplum column gown designed by Giorgio Armani Privé, Erivo showcased her remarkable style as well as her exceptional grace on the red carpet. The gown, with its patent-effect texture, was accentuated by hand-embroidered camellias that elegantly adorned the waist.
Photo: Getty Images While her gown undoubtedly stole the spotlight, Erivo opted for understated accessories, allowing her outfit to remain the focal point. She paired the shimmering gown with silver drop earrings that enhanced her regal appearance.
Furthermore, her super-long manicure contributed an added layer of chicness without overpowering the elegance of her ensemble. Applying a subtle makeup palette, she perfectly complemented her melanated brown skin, embodying an essence of natural beauty and refined charm.
Photo: Getty Images 
Photo: Getty Images Cynthia Erivo’s appearance at the Critics Choice Awards comes on the heels of an impressive performance at the 2025 Grammys a few days ago. As she embraces awards season, Erivo’s trajectory has also included a deeply personal and demanding role in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked. In an insightful feature in ELLE’s 2024 Women in Hollywood issue, she detailed the rigorous regimen she adhered to while preparing for her role as Elphaba.
Describing her physical and vocal training, she shared, “I was up at six o’clock in the morning on my treadmill training. I would run and sing on the treadmill. I was always making sure that my body was ready.”
She continued: “I needed to get my body used to being on wires [for the flight scenes]. There’s a thrill that I got from it. I enjoyed the powerfulness of being able to get on a wire and be flipped upside down. It’s not going to go right the first time—maybe the second or third—and that’s okay.”
Erivo also spoke candidly about her relationship with Ariana Grande (who portrays Glinda in Wicked), describing the star singer as a “sister”.
“I’ve gained a sister,” Erivo said. “At this point, we speak almost every day. Both of us were blown away by how connected we were immediately. I remember the first day we got to come together.
It was at [director] Jon M. Chu’s house, and Stephen Schwartz [who wrote Wicked’s music and lyrics for both the OG Broadway musical and the film] was over. He played some songs for us, and we sang together for the first time. It worked. It’s a very intimate thing to sing with someone. There’s a really beautiful dance—I need to follow you, you have to follow me. It was one of the most gratifying things to know that there was someone who was that open and available, because she was, and that meant I could be as well.”
