Although there's no category for manicures, Cynthia Erivo's nails should be awarded one of the most prestigious awards in entertainment because nothing tells a story, is more captivating and enjoyable than her meticulously crafted and decorated claws.
Erivo captured the world's heart after portraying Elphaba in the film Wicked, which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Although Erivo did not take home the statuette, being nominated recognizes her magnificent role in the film.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Cynthia Erivo, fashion and nail detail, attends the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
The star of "Wicked" debuted on the West End and has built a name for herself in the theater industry. This awards season, the singer has embraced the "method dressing" technique to embody her character on screen. While her outfits have captivated us, the actress has also managed to make her nails her personal accessory—consistently sporting maximalist and playful manicures that incorporate elements referencing various parts of the story.
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The actress has said it takes her about five hours to get her nails done, and she exclusively works with her go-to manicurist, Mycah Dior. At just 19 years old, Dior is an expert in creating impactful nail designs and applications. Dior worked with Cynthia throughout the entire "Wicked" press tour and awards season. These are the designs Cynthia Erivo chose that captured all our attention.
Cynthia Erivo's Manicure Designs During Awards Season
The singer opted for her version of a French manicure for the Critics' Choice Awards. Her manicurist calls it "glazed french tips," featuring glazed white tips with pastel blue accents that create an angelic effect.
Mycah Dior mentioned that Cynthia wanted a particular effect for these nails— "as if gems were growing out of my fingers," she requested. As a result, stones and glitters can be applied to nails over various colored polishes. Speaking of gems, click here if you want to know what your birthstone is.
For the latest edition of the Grammy Awards, Cynthia Erivo showcased nails with details inspired by the cosmos. The glitter simulated stars and graphics referenced the moon and planets.
For the BAFTA Awards, Cynthia Erivo chose a design that matched her outfit for the occasion. If you look closely, you can see that her nails mimic the lace texture of her dress while also including details resembling small jewelry pieces.
Cynthia has mentioned that she opts for different nail styles for each event. For the pre-Oscar dinner, she went for a combination of nails with textured relief and various shades of green—a color referencing her character Elphaba—along with glitter applications that elevated both the design and aesthetics.
Cynthia Erivo arrived at the most important night in the film industry with a golden manicure referencing various aspects of the Emerald City and everything related to "The Wizard of Oz." Her manicurist used relief techniques to create the illusion and form of the different elements that stand out in the architecture of "Wicked."
