Cynthia Erivo attended her first Met Gala in 2017.
“Walking on the Met Gala carpet that year was really nerve-wracking,” she told me Sunday night at UTA’s pre-Met party at Nubeluz at the Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad. “I just finished ‘The Color Purple’ [on Broadway]. I went with Coach.
“I was new, so I didn’t know what to expect,” she continued. “It’s that weird thing where I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I should be here.’ It was a big part of imposter syndrome.”
Monday’s gala marks the sixth time Erivo has attended.
Asked to describe this year’s look, Erivo teased, “It’s almost like I’ve been running through a garden and things have fallen on me.” Her signature long nails were already in place on Sunday: they have an earthy palette and are decorated with small flowers and leaves.
This year’s theme is ‘The Garden of Time’, which coincides with the Costume Institute’s accompanying exhibition, ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion’.
And yes, there can be a “bad” component. “There will always be an aspect of ‘Wicked’ in everything I do,” Erivo said. “But sometimes you might have to look for it.”
Erivo has had two adjustments for her ensemble. “All the final details that need to be done will happen tomorrow,” the Tony winner said.
Erivo starts getting ready around noon after a five-mile run. “I covered 16 kilometers yesterday, so I need to make the return journey easier and I want to be able to walk,” Erivo said, laughing.
She will also have some spa treatments: “I feel like I’m being treated like a princess.”
When asked if she knows who the surprise performer is at this year’s ball, Erivo smiled, “Yes,” before walking to the back of the party to catch up with CNN’s Gabrielle Union and Abby Phillip.
Also spotted at the party were Awkwafina, Dwyane Wade and Jamie Dornan.
Met Gala red carpet arrivals begin Monday at approximately 5:00 PM ET. Make sure you check out Variety‘s extensive coverage, including interviews and all fashion, on diversity.com and across all our social platforms.
