When Did Cynthia Erivo Start Wearing Statement Nails?

When I say Cynthia Erivo, you probably think of a couple of things right away: 1) Her fantastic voice and 2) Her showstopping nails. Believe it or not, the latter has not always been a staple for the Oscar-nominated actor.

Over the last few years, and particularly during the Wicked press tour, Erivo has made headlines for her intricate and long manicure sets, which she swaps for every occasion and have become forever ingrained in the zeitgeist as part of one of pop culture’s funniest memes, but, back in the day, the British star used to rock her nails bare, short, or just moderately long.

So, when did Cynthia Erivo start wearing statement nails? While the actor dabbled into the world of nail art sporadically, it looks like it wasn’t until 2018 that statement nails became a staple in her glam. The turning points seem to have been the Heavenly Bodies Met Gala, where she wore a multi-color set by Gina Oh, whom she still works with sometimes to this day.

That month, Erivo was spotted with multiple sets and it seemed like it became a tradition for her to round off her looks with an impressive mani each time. While we did see her rocking shorter nails for a spell, it looks like the reason might have been work-related. (She’s a Broadway girl, remember?)

Speaking to CBS Sunday Morning ahead of the 2025 Oscars, Erivo actually revealed she started wearing long nails when she was 16 thanks to her grandmother, who took her to a salon one day and, essentially, changed her life. “There we have been stints where I have not had them but I’ve always gone back to them in the end,” she said. “And progressively, they’ve gotten longer.”

Erivo also revealed her process for a new set is also quite casual. “Usually I just let the artists do it themselves, I’ll give them, like, a couple colors that I might want or a theme, and then they designed it themselves.”

Cynthia Erivo with her lastest set pre-Oscars 2025 on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

Aliah Anderson

Arnold Turner/Getty Images

Speaking to Ebony, Erivo actually admitted that getting her nails done is almost like a sacred ritual for her, which lasts “hours and hours.” She added: “It’s the one time that I can’t go anywhere.”

No matter what happens at the 2025 Oscars, where she is nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked, we’ll forever hold space for Cynthia Erivo’s nails.

Where to Watch This Year’s Oscar-Nominated Movies

From Wicked to Anora and everything in between.