[Picture: Cynthia Erivo/Instagram]

Cynthia Erivo, star of the musical Wicked, will receive the prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, set to take place in Los Angeles on March 27. The award, presented by the LGBTQ+ media advocacy organisation GLAAD, recognises an individual from the LGBTQ community who has played a significant role in promoting acceptance and visibility for LGBTQ individuals and issues.

Erivo is also in the spotlight for her nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, which she garnered for her portrayal of Elphaba in Wicked. During the GLAAD ceremony, she is scheduled to perform alongside her co-star, Ariana Grande, who is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the same production.

The Stephen F. Kolzak Award is named after the late casting director Stephen F. Kolzak, who dedicated his later years to fighting against homophobia and HIV stigma within the entertainment industry. Previous laureates of the award include notable figures such as Niecy Nash-Betts, Laverne Cox, and Ellen DeGeneres, each of whom has made significant contributions to LGBTQ representation in media.

In a statement announcing the honour, GLAAD’s President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, highlighted Erivo's influential role: “From an outspoken ally to a trailblazing member of the community, Cynthia Erivo’s one-of-a-kind voice has been an integral part of accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people since she came on the scene over a decade ago... She continues to show up for Black, queer, and other marginalized peoples amid her well-deserved success.”

The GLAAD Media Awards celebrate outstanding representations of LGBTQ individuals across various media platforms and support GLAAD’s ongoing initiatives to foster acceptance and inclusivity. This year's ceremony will be produced by Ellis, alongside Rich Ferraro and Anthony Allen Ramos. Tony Morrison will serve as supervising producer, while Jose Useche takes on producer responsibilities, in partnership with STAMP Event Co.

Source: Noah Wire Services