Cynthia Erivo’s mesmerizing portrayal in Wicked: For Good left an indelible mark on audiences, yet her noticeable absence at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards left fans speculating about her whereabouts.

Erivo, who captivated many with her role as Elphaba in both installments of Jon M. Chu’s cinematic adaptation of the beloved musical, earned a nod for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Her nomination placed her among a distinguished group of actresses, including Rose Byrne for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Kate Hudson for Song Sung Blue, Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another, Amanda Seyfried for The Testament of Ann Lee, and Emma Stone for Bugonia.

Despite this prestigious acknowledgment, Erivo was notably missing from the glamorous event held at the Beverly Hilton, where comedian Nikki Glaser took on hosting duties Sunday evening. Her absence was particularly felt as Ariana Grande, who played Glinda opposite Erivo’s Elphaba, attended the ceremony. Grande herself was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, though the award went to Teyana Taylor for her role in One Battle After Another.

Fans are left to ponder the reason behind Erivo’s nonattendance at one of Hollywood’s most celebrated evenings. As of now, the mystery remains unsolved, and we are left with only speculation about why this talented actress missed out on the event.

Wondering why Erivo was not at the 2026 Golden Globes? Here is what we know.

Why is Cynthia Erivo not at the 2026 Golden Globes?

Variety reported on Tuesday (Jan. 6) that Erivo would not be in attendance at this year’s Golden Globes because of her schedule for the one-woman production of Dracula she is starring in on the West End, which will see her taking on 23 parts. According to the outlet, the show begins previews on Feb. 4.

Who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy?

The award went to Byrne for her performance as Linda in director Mary Bronstein’s psychological dramedy.

Can’t get enough of the 2026 Golden Globes? Follow along with Decider’s coverage, including:

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