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Pink and green are often complementary colors, but this Emmy season, they might represent a rivalry between two talented actresses.
With Cynthia Erivo confirmed to portray quintuplets in the Season 2 premiere of Poker Face, there is a possibility that she will compete against her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande for the title of Best Comedy Guest Actress. Grande’s eligibility stems from her hosting role on Saturday Night Live last October, which was aimed at promoting Wicked.
However, it’s important to note that before any accolades can be anticipated, both actresses must secure their nominations first. The guest categories have yet to appear in Gold Derby’s predictions, and the competition in comedy is fierce. Five of the six nominees from last year’s ceremony could be in contention again: The Bear‘s Olivia Colman and Jamie Lee Curtis (the latter being last year’s winner), Hacks‘ Kaitlin Olson, Only Murders in the Building‘s Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and SNL‘s Maya Rudolph (a two-time winner). New contenders like Hacks‘ Julianne Nicholson and numerous guest stars from Poker Face and The Studio add extra layers of competition, possibly limiting the opportunities for both Erivo and Grande.
There are several dynamics that could work in each actress’s favor. Since SNL began competing in the guest category in 2009, it has garnered 26 nominations and seven wins, with the latest win going to Rudolph in 2021. Although Grande has previously hosted SNL without a nomination, this year marks a significant moment in her career, especially with her recent Oscar nomination for her role in Wicked. Her episode of SNL featured a popular impression of Jennifer Coolidge and introduced a viral sketch that was later included in the show’s 50th anniversary special.
SEE Natasha Lyonne and director Rian Johnson reveal the creative process behind Cynthia Erivo’s role as quintuplets in the Season 2 premiere of Poker Face.
In contrast to Grande’s journey, Erivo already has an Emmy nomination in her credits, having been recognized for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Genius: Aretha in 2021, along with a Daytime Emmy award. She filmed her guest appearance in Poker Face during a break from promoting Wicked, where she ingeniously depicts four of her five characters in scenes together.
Speaking about her ambitious project, Erivo shared with Vanity Fair, “I knew that my head would be split into many different spaces, but I was like, ‘Well, if not now, then when?’ I’m always open to trying things that I haven’t done before, and I wanted to do this. I wanted to challenge myself to see if it was possible to play different characters all at once, to make it work.” She elaborated on the complexities of switching between roles, emphasizing the need for coordination and memory to ensure coherence in dialogue.
Erivo’s multiple roles could impress Emmy voters, and the show has already made a mark in the awards landscape; Judith Light won the guest actress award for her standout appearance on Poker Face in 2023. She was the sole guest nominee from Season 1, indicating that voters might recognize exceptional talent amidst a crowded field. Additionally, since Erivo stars in the premiere episode, voters will have the advantage of seeing her performance early on in the nomination process. Only the initial six episodes of Poker Face’s twelve-episode second season, debuting on May 8, will be eligible for Emmy consideration given the May 31 deadline.
Erivo and Grande are among a pool of eight acting Oscar nominees eligible for the Emmys this year. Should both actresses receive nominations in this competitive comedy guest actress category, it would underscore their popularity and acclaim.
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www.goldderby.com