Tony Awards host Cynthia Erivo gave Oprah Winfrey a surprising gift at the 2025 awards show,after the duo recreated the viral “Holding Space” moment from theWickedpress tour before Cynthia’s opening number. Oprah, who’s been ranked as one of the most influential women in the world, is known for hostingThe Oprah Winfrey Showfrom 1986 to 2011. Oprah presented the 2025 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, which was awarded toSunset Boulevard’sNicole Scherzinger.
Tony Awards host Cynthia Erivo gave Oprah Winfrey a surprising gift at the 2025 awards show.
During the Tony Awards live telecast, Cynthia approached Oprah and gave her a surprising gift, which was hidden under her chair (clip shared bySpencer Althousevia X). In the hilarious moment, Cynthia asked Oprah to check under her chair for a gift.Oprah then pulled out a gold box that was filled with snacks such as Junior Mints and Haribo Gold Bears, and a red toy car.
As Oprah held the car, Cynthia told her,“You get a car!,“referring toOprah’s “You Get a Car” giveaway on a 2004 episode ofThe Oprah Winfrey Show, during which she gave 276 brand-new Pontiac G6 sedans to her studio audience. Cynthia then declared,“I’ve been waiting all night to do that!“The gift box was a nod to the boxes that had the keys to the cars that Oprah hid under the audience’s seats.
You get a car! I’ve been waiting all night to do that!
What Cynthia Erivo’s Hilarious Moment With Oprah Means
Cynthia Was The Perfect Tony Awards Host
Cynthia’s comedic moment with Oprahwas justone of many hilarious scenes that played out during the 2025 Tony Awards. One of the best was her closing number, when she recapped the show, belting the lyrics,“And I am telling you I’m not going,“fromDreamgirls.In addition,Cynthia’s opening number was extraordinary and highlighted her spectacular vocals and charming personality.
Cynthia also delivered a very poignant moment during the show, when she and Sara Bareilles sang “Tomorrow” fromAnniein harmony during the In Memoriam segment. “Tomorrow” was written by Charles Strouse, who composed the music forAnnieand passed away on August 09, 2025, at the age of 96. Cynthia’s sensational turn as the Tony Awards host means that she’ll most likely be asked to return to the role in the future.
Our Take On Cynthia Erivo Revisiting Oprah’s Iconic Car Giveaway
Cynthia & Oprah Were So Funny Together
Oprah’s"You get a car!“episodehas become so iconic that the quote is now a popular meme. Although it might’ve seemed like an obvious joke, Cynthia’s expert delivery of it was so funny that it really made me laugh out loud. Oprah is always a great sport too, and she seemed to really enjoy the bit, based on the big smile on her face. I think that Cynthia was a fabulous Tony Awards host, andI hope that she comes back next year to entertain us all again.
The Oprah Winfrey Showis available to stream on the Watch OWN app.
