
'Wicked' choice: Cynthia Erivo will host the Tony Awards in June
'Wicked' star Cynthia Erivo, who has been earning awards left and right, will next be handing them out — she's been picked to be the host of the Tony Awards.
'I am so proud and excited to take on this glorious honor,' Erivo said in a statement. 'I am looking forward to ushering the theater community at large through a night that celebrates the wonderful performances we have witnessed throughout the year. I hope I can rise to the occasion.'
Erivo has won a Grammy, Emmy and a Tony, as well as a Golden Globe, SAG Award and three Academy Award nominations.
This season's Tony Awards will take place on June 8 at its familiar home of Radio City Music Hall. They will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
The awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.
'Through performances on both stage and screen, Cynthia has extended the magic of musical theater to millions of new fans around the globe — and that is exactly the mission of the Tony Awards,' said Heather Hitchens, president & CEO of the American Theater Wing and Jason Laks, president of The Broadway League.
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NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
2025 Tony Awards: How to watch, what time, who's hosting, nominations and more
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Sophie Evans asks fans about Welsh language schools and overwhelmingly told one thing
Sophie Evans asks fans about Welsh language schools and overwhelmingly told one thing Best known for her roles in Wicked and the Wizard of Oz, Sophie Evans has been asking for advice about her children's future education Sophie Evans and Ellis Jenkins pictured with their first son Jack, in 2023 (Image: Sophie Evans/Instagram ) West End star Sophie Evans has opened up about a decision many Welsh parents have to think about - whether to send your children to a Welsh or English-speaking school. Just two months after welcoming her second child with husband Ellis Jenkins, Sophie took to TikTok to ask followers for advice. With their first son Jack now nearing school age, the couple must make a decision. "I can't believe the time has come to start thinking about schools for Jack," Sophie said. "But I am at a crossroads as to whether to send Jack to a Welsh language school or an English language school." The Tonypandy singer said she doesn't speak Welsh fluently, but has some familiarity with the language. She said: "I just think it's something that I really think would've helped with my career, if I could speak Welsh." Sophie went on to explain her husband's thoughts: "Ellis also doesn't speak Welsh and he is a very academically driven man, he did amazing in school and you know, he says 'I always remember my dad helping me with my homework, maths especially, so he's worried that if we send them to a Welsh school that he wouldn't be able to help them." The couple married in 2022 and have since welcomed two sons, Jack and Louie (Image: Instagram/Jonathan Davies ) She asked followers: "If you send your child to Welsh school, what are the negatives, in your opinion? If you send your child to Welsh school and have loads of positives let me know what they are as well, and vice versa with the English language school. Article continues below "I just don't know what to do. I'm like 75% Welsh and 25% English... but any ideas on what to do?" The comments section flooded with opinions, with the vast majority encouraging Sophie to send her children to a Welsh language school. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter One follower wrote: "Welsh medium education all the way. Better standard of education and the boys will leave being fully bilingual with better job prospect if they stay in Wales. Plenty of help on offer to parents who don't speak the language from schools/teachers." This was echoed by another comment: "Welsh, being bilingual in any language improves job prospects as an adult, it provides them with all the same GCSEs as standard and speaking multiple languages from a young child has proven to improve cognitive ability such as improved memory and slower cognitive decline, and it makes it easier to learn more languages as an adult. "Not to mention the fact that it's a beautiful langue and everyone in Wales should have the pleasure of speaking it." One commenter who was in the same position said: "Product of a Welsh language school with non Welsh speaking parents, I'm fine! Great job, learnt three other languages and my English is great (freelance writer and journalism grad). "Homework they learn to explain to you, and you can request English versions of things. In a class of say 50 in my school, only five would have a Welsh speaking parent - it was completely the norm. It's never held me back!" Another added: "The benefits of being bilingual are incredible! I am first language Welsh and my parents didn't speak Welsh, I'm so thankful they gave me the opportunity. It's so important for our culture. Absolutely no negatives. Welsh better funding. English schools will be phased out across Wales in coming years." A minority shared concerns based on their experiences: "I know so many people who struggled with English when attending a Welsh school. They needed an English tutor to help them with basics like spelling/reading etc. Those I know who attended a Welsh school don't use it in their jobs (obvs different for everyone with different jobs) but also jobs like Welsh speaking applicants too." Another said: "I went to Welsh school, parents struggled to help with homework but I liked my time at school. I didn't keep up my Welsh though and now not that confident to speak it. So if they do go encourage them to keep it up as there are lots of jobs that want specific Welsh speaking, especially in civil service. I can't do maths terminology in English and also only know the lord's prayer in Welsh." Sophie, who rose to fame on BBC talent show, Over the Rainbow, married Welsh rugby International Ellis Jenkins back in 2022. The couple first met when they were both just 18 years old. Speaking to WalesOnline previously, Sophie shared that despite their deep connection, they've faced their fair share of challenges. "When we were about 23 or 24, we went separate ways for just over a year and then realised, 'You are the love of my life' and we are meant to be together. The rest is history," she recalled. Article continues below


BreakingNews.ie
2 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Jonathan Bailey says Wicked sequel is ‘darker' and will ‘go there politically'
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