Cynthia Erivo’s ‘Wicked’ Nail Moments: Emerald Embellishments, Milky Glass and More

Cynthia Erivo has long loved a sharp nail. Where some prefer a short, single color base, the Broadway star glues a coffin-shaped acrylic talon, one that tells a story.

Since stepping into the role of Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s two-part “Wicked” adaptation, Erivo’s upped her extension game, weaving in intricate adornments that pay homage to the motifs in the movie. From metallic foil to milky glass, each nail touts a different color, design and texture, brought to life using beads, gems and sea glass thanks to the talented Shea Osei and 20-year-old Mycah Dior, also known as @clawzbydior online.

Erivo first nodded to her role in “Wicked” at the 49th Chaplin Award honoring Jeff Bridges in April 2024, where she wore seafoam, almond-shaped tips with gold accents. At the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, she dove further into the eccentricity of nails with abstract, tiger stripe tips and crystal adornments.

By the time the “Wicked” press tour came around in November 2024, the vocalist had fully immersed herself in the storyline of her character, reimagining the animation of the Emerald City in three-dimensional pop-art in the shape of bows, Crosses and flowers with the help of Dior. Together, Dior and Erivo played around with acrylic molds, creating waves and shapes along the edges of her nails and through the center.

While not all have been as complex and carefully plotted as the ones Erivo donned during the first “Wicked” press tour, no one can say she’s ever donned a dull tip. Here, see photos of Cynthia Erivo’s “Wicked” nails over the years.