Strictly Come Dancing’s Movie Week is always a highlight on the UK’s television calendar, but this year’s edition on October 11, 2025, delivered a surprise that even seasoned fans didn’t see coming. Cynthia Erivo, the internationally acclaimed stage and screen star, returned to the ballroom—not as a judge, but as the show’s first ever Guest Mentor. The move was met with both excitement and a flurry of online chatter, as Erivo’s presence brought a new kind of magic to the beloved dance competition.
Erivo’s return to Strictly was a big deal. According to BBC, she first graced the show as a guest judge back in 2021, covering for both Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse over two memorable weeks. But this time, Erivo’s role was different. Instead of wielding a scoring paddle, she offered encouragement, constructive criticism, and a dash of showbiz sparkle as the celebrity couples tackled routines inspired by iconic movies. As The Independent reported, Erivo “provided feedback to the celebrity contestants but did not score their performances.”
The night kicked off with a bang—quite literally, for some viewers. Instead of the familiar Strictly theme, the episode opened with a dramatic introduction highlighting Erivo’s many achievements. Large text flashed across the screen, listing her accolades: an Emmy, a Grammy, a Tony, and an Oscar nomination (she’s won all but the Oscar). The Mirror noted that this stylistic choice had fans drawing comparisons to the now-retired The X Factor, with one viewer quipping on X (formerly Twitter), “This Cynthia intro is giving X Factor results VT #Strictly.” Still, for every tongue-in-cheek critique, there was a chorus of praise. “Cynthia Erivo is such a QUEEN, this is so so iconic,” gushed another fan, echoing the mood in the studio.
But it wasn’t just the opening sequence that got people talking. The professional dancers set the tone for the evening with a Wicked-themed performance to “As Long As You’re Mine”—a nod to Erivo’s starring role as Elphaba in the much-anticipated Wicked: For Good sequel, set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025. As reported by Digital Spy, the choice of song was no coincidence: Erivo’s character will perform the number opposite Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero in the upcoming film. The synergy between Strictly’s Movie Week and the Wicked franchise was impossible to miss, especially as buzz for the sequel continues to build.
Throughout the night, Erivo’s mentoring style was warm, insightful, and—at times—musical. As The Independent captured, there was a memorable moment when judge Motsi Mabuse sang the word “slow” while critiquing Balvinder Sopal’s performance. Erivo, not to be outdone, followed suit by bursting into song herself, earning rapturous applause from the audience. It was a spontaneous display of her theatrical prowess, and a reminder of why she’s regarded as one of the industry’s brightest talents.
Erivo’s feedback was thoughtful and encouraging, helping to steady the nerves of the 13 celebrities who performed that night. (One couple, Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell, missed out due to illness—a twist that left fans wishing them a speedy recovery.) According to Metro, Erivo’s presence in the rehearsal rooms was “supportive and energizing,” with the actress offering guidance drawn from her years on stage and screen. And while she couldn’t hand out scores, her words carried weight. As she later wrote on Instagram, “The best night of everytime!! 10s across the board. I love you @bbcstrictly.”
It’s not every day that a performer of Erivo’s caliber stops by a dance show. Her career has been nothing short of meteoric. After making waves on the West End in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in 2011, she shot to Broadway fame as Celie in The Color Purple. Her performance in the 2019 film Harriet earned her an Academy Award nomination, cementing her status as a Hollywood heavyweight. But Erivo hasn’t limited herself to acting—she’s also an accomplished singer, with two studio albums to her name. Her latest release, I Forgive You, dropped in June 2025 and draws inspiration from Britpop icons Blur and Oasis, as well as Enya, the Spice Girls, and Brandy. As The Mirror reported, she described the album’s sound as “Britpop-infused,” a nod to her eclectic musical tastes.
Erivo’s connection to Wicked has only deepened her cultural impact. Alongside pop superstar Ariana Grande, she brought the story of Elphaba—the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West—to a new generation of fans. Their duet of “Defying Gravity” at the 2025 Oscars was a showstopper, earning Erivo a BET Her Award nomination for her empowering rendition. The anticipation for Wicked: For Good, the sequel arriving this November, is palpable. The press tour for the first film was a media frenzy, and with Erivo at the center of it all, expectations are sky-high for the next installment.
Back in the Strictly ballroom, the night wasn’t without its share of drama and triumph. Judge Motsi Mabuse awarded the first perfect 10s of the series to Lewis Cope and Katya Jones for their fiery Paso Doble to “The Plaza of Execution” from The Mask of Zorro. The moment was a reminder that, even with a star like Erivo in the house, the heart of Strictly remains the same: celebrating dance, determination, and a bit of friendly competition. As Lewis Cope told Metro, he brushed off suggestions that he had an unfair advantage due to past dance experience, saying, “To call me professionally trained or a professional dancer seems a bit bizarre, especially now that I’m working with these pros on the show. It’s kind of an insult to them, really, to suggest I’m on their level when they’ve dedicated their lives to becoming as brilliant as they are.”
For Erivo, the night was a love letter to the show and its fans. Her Instagram post declaring, “I love you @bbcstrictly,” captured the spirit of the evening—one of joy, collaboration, and a shared passion for performance. As Strictly’s first ever Guest Mentor, she set a high bar for those who might follow in her footsteps.
With Wicked: For Good just around the corner and her music career in full swing, Cynthia Erivo’s star continues to rise. But for one night in October, she reminded everyone at Strictly—and watching at home—why she’s become a legend on both sides of the Atlantic: a voice that soars, a presence that inspires, and a mentor who knows how to make a moment truly unforgettable.
