British-Nigerian actress Cynthia Erivo has taken another bold step towards entering the exclusive EGOT club.
CYNTHIA ERIVO’S NOMINATION
The actress was recently nominated in the Best Actress category for her role in Wicked at the 2025 Oscars. She is just one win away from claiming an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony, according to Deadline.
Erivo dazzled audiences in the global hit adaptation. The film is a spectacular reimagining of the beloved Broadway musical, which raked in millions at the box office.
“I’ve always dreamed of moments like this,” said Erivo. “To be recognised for something so close to my heart is overwhelming.”
CYNTHIA ERIVO AND WICKED
She joins a competitive field that includes Demi Moore, Mikey Madison, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Fernanda Torres, according to The Direct.
Wicked is among the frontrunners this year, scoring 10 nominations, just behind Emilia Pérez’s impressive 13 nods.
Directed by visionary filmmaker Sophie Deraspe, Emilia Pérez broke records as the most-nominated non-English film in Oscar history.
This achievement ties with the 2024 success of Oppenheimer.
AFRICAN STORIES AT THE OSCARS
However, Africa’s cinematic contributions have once again been sidelined.
For the fourth consecutive year, no film submitted by an African country made it to the Best International Film shortlist.
This omission has sparked frustration, especially as Mati Diop’s Dahomey had already bagged the prestigious Golden Bear award.
“It feels like African stories continue to be undervalued,” said Thandi Ndlovu, a South African filmmaker. “Films like Dahomey deserve recognition on the global stage.” This snub is part of a troubling pattern.
AFRICAN TALENT AND THE OSCARS
Tsotsi won the last African film in this category in 2006, and this decade has seen only one African entry, The Man Who Sold His Skin (Tunisia), nominated.
Amidst the disappointment, a glimmer of hope emerges for South Africa.
Cindy Lee’s The Last Ranger, a short film about protecting rhinos in the Eastern Cape, secured a nomination for Best Live-Action Short Film.
THE LAST RANGER
The film stars Avumile Qongqo and Liyabona Mroqoza in a gripping tale of conservation and courage.
“It’s an honour to tell this story,” said Lee.
“The world deserves to see the Eastern Cape’s natural beauty and its struggles.”
This achievement marks a rare spotlight on South African talent amidst the Oscar frenzy.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Meanwhile, Johan Grimonprez’s Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat landed a nomination in the Best Documentary Feature category.
The film delves into the Congo crisis, exploring the assassination of Patrice Lumumba and the emergence of Pan-Africanism.
Grimonprez also weaves in jazz legends’ unexpected connections to the era’s political turmoil.
As the Oscars draw closer, South Africans will be watching closely.
CYNTHIA ERIVO AND THE EGOT STATUS
Erivo’s potential EGOT achievement and Lee’s rhino-saving story bring hope and excitement to audiences eager for diverse voices to triumph, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
However, the glaring lack of African films in the spotlight raises questions about representation and recognition in the industry.
As Ndlovu aptly puts it, “Africa has so much to offer. It’s time the world starts paying attention.”
The Academy Awards air on 10 March, offering a chance for long-overdue recognition of Africa’s rich storytelling tradition.
HOW CAN FILMMAKERS FROM AFRICA BRING MORE ATTENTION TO THEIR STORIES ON THE GLOBAL STAGE?
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