Cynthia Erivo to Host the 2025 Tony Awards

Cynthia Erivo to Host the 2025 Tony Awards

Brent Lang

February 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Cynthia Erivo, fresh off the box office success of “Wicked,” will command center stage on Broadway’s biggest night as host of the 78th Tony Awards.

She takes over as emcee from Ariana DeBose, who hosted the past three shows. Erivo is a former Tony winner herself, having captured the best actress in a musical prize in 2016 for her turn in the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple.” She is currently nominated for an Oscar for her work as Elphaba in “Wicked.” Previously, she earned nods for her performance in 2019’s “Harriet,” as well as for co-writing “Stand Up,” a song that was featured in that film. Erivo has also won an Emmy for a televised performance of “The Color Purple,” plus a Grammy for the show’s cast recording, putting her tantalizingly close to EGOT status.

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“I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor,” Erivo said in a statement. “I am looking forward to ushering the theater 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.”

This year’s Tony Awards will return to the Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the first time since 2022. It was held at the United Palace in 2023 and at Lincoln Center in 2024, and there were gripes that neither venue had as much seating as the cavernous Radio City. The show will air live on June 8 on the CBS Television Network, and it will also stream on Paramount+.

Erivo, who headlined one of 2024’s biggest films, injects some serious star power into the event. Her schedule is packed these days. Erivo will reprise her role as Elphaba in this year’s “Wicked: For Good.” She also recently wrapped production on a guest role in “Poker Face.” Her other credits include her acclaimed turn as Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha,” as well as a lead role on HBO’s “The Outsider.”

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