Cynthia Erivo Reimagines French Manicures at 2025 Critics Choice Awards

Cynthia Erivo is looking glamorous as ever on the red carpet!

The actress, 37, continued her red carpet streak at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Feb. 7 in support of Wicked, which received 11 nominations. She is in the running for best actress while her costar Ariana Grande is up for best supporting actress.

Throughout awards season and her Wicked promo, the multi-talented star has brought her famously long — and decked out — manicures. This time was no different.

In addition to her sparkly rings and impressive earring stack (studs, hoops and pendants, oh my!), her bejeweled nails brought some additional bling with their ornate gold charms. The set was also a dreamy take on the classic French tip style as it featured pastel blue accents that gave them the appearance of a cloudy sky. Could they be a nod to “Defying Gravity”?

Erivo paired her jewelry and nails with a skin-baring Armani Privé Haute Couture black gown that appeared to consist of a low-cut peplum vest with beaded embellishments and a column skirt. Some may say the design was a nod to her character, Elphaba, whose signature color is black.

Erivo has been pulling out one movie-inspired look after another throughout the press and awards circuit, often channeling her character Elphaba, who is the Wicked Witch of the West. When the actress is not donning her character’s signature green, she has often opted for other bold designs in homage to the misunderstood witch.

In October, she wore a chic gray and green dress from the Erdem Spring 2025 Ready-to-Wear Collection when walking the red carpet at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City at WSJ. Magazine’s 2024 Innovator Awards.

Erivo and Grande, who have been inseparable since the release of the flick in November 2024, posed side-by-side at the event, with the Glinda actress donning a white, floral-embroidered gown from Vivienne Westwood. 

The following month, the two — who also have matching “For Good” tattoos — hit the carpet for the Australian premiere of the movie, once again, wearing contrasting outfits that perfectly aligned with their respective characters. Erivo opted for an elegant strapless black gown with a striking structured skirt that flared out at her hips. She accessorized the ensemble with a large black-and-white choker necklace. 

Meanwhile, Grande dressed in a voluminous pink gown with a fitted bodice and statement sleeves covered with a sheer fabric. The layered dress featured sparkling detail and a full skirt. She paired the look with over 100 carats of diamonds in custom-made Lorraine Schwartz. 

The two opened up about their complementing looks in an interview with content creator @aichark in November, in which they said they did not plan to dress in coordinated fashion but have been naturally in sync since rehearsals.

“Our first day of rehearsal we both wear Balenciaga hoodies. Mine was pink and said ‘gay’ and hers was black and said ‘Balenciaga,’ ” Grande revealed. 

The actresses further claimed that many of the outfits worn during their recent joint appearances have not been organized. “It’s never really ever planned. It’s never planned. We just turn up and that’s what happens,” Erivo said. 

More recently, on Jan. 5, the Drift star had a magical entrance at the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet. She rocked a custom Louis Vuitton black halter gown with a deep-V neckline. The dress was covered in silver sequin floral embellishments and had a dramatic structure at the waist.

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Though, just because she ditched the green does not mean her looks are no longer in homage to her character. 

“You have to keep everyone guessing,” said Erivo in an interview with E!‘s Zuri Hall upon her arrival to the award show. “Green is Elphaba’s skin color, but what she wears a lot is black. So, I’ve been trying to mess around with the shapes and the structure of different kinds of black dresses.”

The actress completed her ensemble with multi-colored nails adorned with large gemstones and intricate art. She revealed that her manicurist Mycah Dior used five OPI nail polish shades to complete the design, including the cobalt blue hue, Fiyero’s My Mani, from the Wicked collection.

Erivo added that the manicure was no easy feat and took about five hours.

See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards as they’re broadcasting live on E! from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the following day on Peacock.