Cynthia Erivo is no stranger to the spotlight, but this year, she’s really defying gravity. Following her critically acclaimed debut as Elphaba in Wicked: Part One, the award-winning actress, singer, and producer has been named Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Woman of the Year. The honor, bestowed annually by Harvard’s storied theater troupe, celebrates Erivo’s career on stage and screen—a journey that has seen her enchant audiences from Broadway to Hollywood. With Wicked: For Good poised to cast a spell over moviegoers later this year, Erivo’s latest accolade proves she’s already soaring.
The celebration began with a lively parade through Cambridge, where Erivo waved to fans before transitioning to the evening’s events. The annual roast, a time-honored tradition of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, playfully pokes fun at the honoree with an over-the-top, comedic tribute before presenting them with the coveted Pudding Pot.
At Farkas Hall, Erivo took the stage to accept the Pudding Pot Award, embracing the theatrical spectacle that perfectly matched her dynamic career. She sealed her honor with a playful moment, receiving a kiss from two Hasty Pudding members before kissing her Pudding Pot. Afterward, she shared her thoughts on the honor and her journey before settling in to watch Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, “101 Damnations.”
ECHO had the opportunity to sit down with Erivo at the press conference. For Erivo, receiving the Woman of the Year honor highlights the lasting impact of her theater roots. The discipline and stamina she developed on stage continue to shape her performances, both on stage and screen. Being recognized for her work reminds her that the craft she honed in theater still shines through, making the honor all the more meaningful.
“It means a great deal, actually, because theater doesn’t really leave you. The craft that you learn, the work that you put through, the stamina you have to build—all of that you build before you get to screen doesn’t leave, and in fact, it helps to build. I think it’s really helped me in that work. So to still be awarded for things that I’ve done on stage means a great deal because it means that it’s still shining through. It’s quite nice.”
For Erivo, music and song are essential tools in storytelling, acting as a bridge when words fall short. She believes that songs emerge in moments where the emotion is too powerful to express verbally, pushing the narrative forward in a way dialogue cannot.
“I always feel like music and song are the precipice between the words. I always believe that songs come in when words are not enough anymore. So I think that they always push the story along, but it’s also that intimate truth that the character has in the music.”
Erivo’s career is defined by roles where song, emotion, and character intersect. From her breakthrough as Celie in The Color Purple to portraying Harriet Tubman in Harriet, the actress gravitates toward roles where music becomes an expression of emotion. She is drawn to characters that allow her to blend acting, singing, and raw emotion into unforgettable performances, especially when the music amplifies the story and emotion becomes too powerful for words alone.
“I love when you can combine both—something connecting together—because I think you get a bit more insight into who the person is. Whether it be the way the melody is written or the way the rhythm is structured, it tells you what they’re feeling on the inside about themselves and about the situation that they’re in. The best kinds of musicals are when the songs come in because there just isn’t anywhere else you can go. You have to sing. There is nothing else you can do because the emotion is too big just for words. So personally, I love it very much.”
One of the topics on everyone’s mind was the Oscars. With her nomination for Wicked: Part One, she is once again in contention for one of Hollywood’s most prestigious honors—the EGOT. A win for Best Actress would place her among an exclusive group of just 19 performers to have earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. During the press conference, Erivo shared her thoughts on the race to the win.
“I think it’s inspiring. The work that you do in order to get there is never silly. You know, it’s hard work to get to that point. Honestly, when I first started, I didn’t know that the EGOT existed. I was just working, and to be in the position where I can even suggest that it might happen one day—it’s really lovely. And so I use it as inspiration as well, to just keep doing good work, because that’s really the only way it can happen—if the work is good. So you just try to do good work.”
Despite the prestige of a potential EGOT status, Erivo remains grounded, viewing accolades as a byproduct of her dedication rather than t he ultimate goal. Gracious about her achievements, she sees them as motivation to keep striving for excellence rather than as titles to chase. For her, the heart of it all lies in the work itself—the challenge of embodying new characters and telling meaningful stories. That passion, rather than any trophy, is what drives her forward.
“Well, I’ve been doing film for a long time as well, so it sort of balances itself out. I think this is just a different level of seeing the films. And it’s fun. I’ve had a good time, but really, in terms of… I think it still doesn’t change that you want to do good work.” Erivo said. “It doesn’t change that you want to keep making more. You keep wanting to introduce some different characters. I’m still hungry to find the next character and who that might be. And I’m also sort of excited to share the next part of this character—the journey that she’s going to go on.”
“So for me, I’m still looking at the next part of this journey because it’s like I’ve got this little secret no one else knows about. Everyone has discovered this first part of her, and I know that there’s something else brewing and coming to you all, so I’m excited for everyone to see that. And it’s nice to bring my theatre babies along with me. You get to be a part of this one too.”
So, what is her next role following Wicked: Part One? While Erivo is best known for her powerful dramatic performances, she hinted at a shift in tone for her next project. When asked about the possibility of stepping into comedy, she playfully teased that she may have already taken on a more comedic role than her past work. Though she remained tight-lipped on the details, her enthusiasm for the genre was clear. “I love comedy,” Erivo admitted, suggesting that fans may soon see a new, lighter side of her on screen.
“I may have already done something that feels more comedic than most things.” The actress said. “I’m open to many things, and I love comedy—I’ve done something that I think might tickle your fancy.”
Erivo isn’t slowing down—she’s eager to take on new challenges. With whispers of a possible comedic role ahead, fans can expect to see even more of her dynamic range. Of course, she couldn’t escape the press conference without holding space for her signature riff in “Defying Gravity,” a moment that left everyone in awe. As for the next Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year, the highly anticipated announcement will be made in 2026.
Keep up with Erivo on Instagram at @cynthiaerivo and Hasty Pudding Theatricals at @thehastypudding
For tickets to Hasty Pudding’s musical comedy spectacular, “101 Damnations,” visit Hasty Pudding’s website or email [email protected].
