Wicked star Cynthia Erivo has said her younger self is "smiling, beaming, glowing from ear to ear" following her Oscars nomination in the leading actress category.
After Thursday's announcement, she congratulated her co-star and first-time nominee, Ariana Grande, and said: "There is no one in the world I would have wanted to do this with more than you."
Wicked, which has secured 10 nods, features Grande as Glinda and Erivo as the green witch Elphaba, and is based on the West End and Broadway musical of the same name.
In an Instagram post, Erivo said: "Moments like this don’t come along very often, and when they do, it is sacrilege to let them pass by without a moment of gratitude.
"I am grateful, grateful to @theacademy, grateful to be a part of something that makes people feel seen, grateful to be a cog in the wheel of a piece that makes us believe in magic, grateful to have experienced a dream come true, and deeply deeply grateful for this unbelievable recognition.
"I often get asked what I would say to my younger self. Well today there’s nothing to be said.
"She is smiling, beaming, glowing from ear to ear. That speaks volumes."
"To my sister, @arianagrande, what a joy it is to be here with you watching as you ascend and amaze and become the actress you were meant to be", she added.
She also thanked their "fearless leader", director Jon M. Chu, for his "kindness".
Meanwhile, her co-star singer and actress Grande has said she cannot stop crying following her Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role as Glinda the good witch.
In a post on Instagram, alongside a picture of herself as a young child, she said: "Picking my head up in between sobs to say thank you so much to @theacademy for this unfathomable recognition. i cannot stop crying, to no one’s surprise."
She continued: "I’m humbled and deeply honoured to be in such brilliant company and sharing this with tiny ari who sat and studied Judy Garland singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow just before the big, beautiful bubble entered. i’m so proud of you, tiny.
"thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for this acknowledgement @theacademy.
"thank you @jonmchu for taking this chance on me and for being the most unbelievably brilliant leader, human being, and most fierce friend. i am so deeply proud of my beautiful Wicked family. i am so proud of my Elphie, my sister, my dear @cynthiaerivo. your brilliance is never ending and you deserve every flower (tulip) in every garden. i love you unconditionally, always.
"i don’t quite have all my words yet, i’m still trying to breathe. but thank you. oh my goodness, thank you. Universal, Marc, my family, my heart.
"lemons and melons and pears, oh my."
Wicked director Jon M. Chu has commented on the film's 10 nominations, writing on his Instagram Stories: "Couldn't be more proud of our crew and cast and everyone in between who made this movie possible.
"The greatest adventure of creativity I have ever been a part of."
Kneecap has missed out on Oscar nominations in the Best International Feature Film and Best Original Song categories on a day when the film Emilia Peréz received the most nominations.
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Source: Press Association
