Cynthia Erivo Channels Wicked Witch Energy at GLAAD Awards, Partner Lena Waithe Cheers Like a Broadway Stan

Buy Me A Coffee

Cynthia Erivo just added another trophy to her shelf, and this one comes with extra sparkle! The Wicked star swooped into the 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, rocking a Dior look so chic even Glinda would be jealous. But she wasnโ€™t just there to turn headsโ€”she was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is basically GLAADโ€™s way of saying, โ€œYouโ€™re an icon, keep making the world less terrible.โ€

Her ride-or-die, Lena Waithe, was right by her side, probably resisting the urge to hold up a giant โ€œThatโ€™s my baby!!โ€ sign. The award is given to LGBTQ media legends who have done the heavy lifting of making the world a more accepting place, and Cynthiaโ€™s been out here lifting like a champion.

See also  Gypsy Rose Blanchard Has Returned Former Husband Ryan Anderson's Wedding Ring

A Speech That Had More Power Than a Wicked Spell
Taking the mic, Cynthia reminded everyone that being yourself is a full-time jobโ€”and unfortunately, it comes with zero paid vacation days.

โ€œIt isnโ€™t easy. None of it is,โ€ she said, probably making half the room tear up while the other half frantically searched for tissues. โ€œWaking up and choosing to be yourself, proclaiming a space belongs to you when you donโ€™t feel welcomed, teaching people on a daily basis how to address you and dealing with the frustration of reteaching people a word that has been in the human vocabulary since the dawn of time: they/them.โ€

See also  Dick Van Dyke, Malibu's 99-Year-Old Action Hero, Gets a Fire Rescue Cameo from His Neighbors

Cynthiaโ€™s Wizard of Oz Moment
Because whatโ€™s a Wicked starโ€™s speech without a little Oz magic? Cynthia took us on a metaphorical trip down the yellow brick roadโ€”but in this case, the road had less sparkle and more struggle.

โ€œHere in this room, we have all been the recipients of the gift that is the opportunity to โ€˜be more.โ€™ I doubt that it has come easy to any of us. For some, the road has not been paved with yellow bricks, but instead with bumps and potholes,โ€ she said. โ€œWhichever road you have traveled, how beautiful it is that youโ€™ve had a road to travel on at all.โ€

See also  The Kardashian-Jenners Got To Watch 'Wicked' Ahead Of Its Release With Ariana Grande And Cynthia Erivo

Basically, she dropped wisdom so powerful that even the Wicked Witch of the West wouldโ€™ve stopped mid-meltdown to take notes.

Lena Waithe, visibly beaming, was likely thinking, โ€œYep, thatโ€™s MY person.โ€ And honestly? Weโ€™re all just lucky to be living in a world where Cynthia Erivo exists.

Go ahead, click below and watch the full speechโ€”youโ€™ll laugh, cry, and maybe start humming โ€œDefying Gravity.โ€

Comments area

Sidebar

Must Read

Matthew Perry Remembered by ‘Friends’ Dad Kathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner, the fabulous 69-year-old actress, wants to share...

Idris Elba For Calvin Klein, Shot in London

Guess what's shaking up the fashion world? None other...

Kelly Ripa Is “Offended” Over Andy Cohen Drug Allegations

Picture this: the Real Housewives of New York City's...

Tom Holland Announces New Line Of Non-Alcoholic Beer Called Bero

Attention, Spider-Man stans and beer buddies โ€“ your friendly...

One Topic Was Made Off-Limits During Tom Brady’s Roast

So, picture this: the grand roast of the one...

Setlist For Post Malone’s ‘F-1 Trillion Tour’ Revealed After First Show

The one and only Post Malone, a.k.a. โ€œThe Sultan...

Christina Aguilera Celebrates The 25th Anniversary Of Her Debut Album

Itโ€™s officially been a whopping 25 years since Christina...

You Might Also Like

America Ferrera Remembers The Time She Met Leonardo DiCaprio in 2007

Picture this: America Ferrera, unstoppable force of fabulousness, finds...

Kesha Releases Her New Song ‘Joyride’

Kesha just dropped her latest single, and it's an...

Carly Rae Jepsen Is Engaged To Boyfriend Cole M.G.N.

Carly Rae Jepsen is officially off the market! That's...

Billie Eilish Opens Up About Her Relationship With Ex Jesse Rutherford

Billie Eilish has spilled the tea about her love...

Perrie Edwards Releases New Music Video For ‘You Go Your Way’

Perrie Edwards just dropped her latest single, โ€œYou Go...

Gwyneth Paltrow Throws a Star-Studded Party for Timothรฉe Chalamet and Those Viral Smoochy Pics

Gwyneth Paltrow, aka Hollywoodโ€™s queen of kale smoothies and...

Britney Spears’ Mom Lynne Opens Up About Reunion With Her Daughter

Britney Spears' mom, Lynne, is back in action, and...

Zayn Malik Reveals Whether He’s Ever Been In Love

Zayn Malik just spilled the beans on matters of...

Jude Law Spotted Shirtless on the Set of ‘Eden’

Guess who's breaking the internet with his sizzling hot...