Cynthia Chinasaokwu Onyedinmanasu Amarachukwu Owezuke Echimino Erivo, better known as Cynthia Erivo, has been nominated to host the 78th Tony Awards.

Cynthia, who was recently nominated for an Oscar in the musical fantasy film, said she was “proud and excited” to have been chosen.

She will be taking over hosting duties from Ariana DeBose, who has led the last three awards ceremonies.

“I am looking forward to ushering the theatre community at large through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year. I hope I can rise to the occasion,” she said in a statement.

The British actress and singer, whose parents are Nigerian, is no stranger to the Tony Awards having won Best Actress in a Musical in 2016 for her breakout role in “The Colour Purple”.

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She has been nominated for numerous other awards, winning the Tony, an Emmy, and a Grammy among others.

The Tony Awards, formally known as the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, are an annual ceremony that recognises outstanding achievements in Broadway productions, including plays, musicals, acting, directing, design, amongst others.

The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing noted that through her performances on both stage and screen, Erivo “has extended the magic of musical theatre to millions of new fans” around the world.

The Tony nominations are due to be announced on the first of May, 2025.